Shillong, Mar 8: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday assured that the demand to bring Block-I area in Jaintia Hills under Meghalaya will be taken up in the second phase of Assam-Meghalaya border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference.
“With regard to the desire of the people of the Block-1 area to be with Meghalaya, the same will be taken up in talks in the 2nd Phase of the remaining 6 (six) areas of difference with the Government of Assam,” Sangma said in his reply to a Call Attention moved by UDP legislator from Mookaiaw, Nujorki Sungoh, in the Assembly.
Sangma said that keeping in view the border talks at the Chief Minister level, it is desirable to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
He informed that the issues on developmental works in the border areas are discussed and resolved at the Deputy Commissioners/ Superintendents of Police, Border Coordination Committee level meetings held from time to time with the counterpart DCs and SPs from Assam.
Earlier, moving the motion, Sungoh said, “The sorrow, pain and untold hardships that they have faced and still facing till now cannot be described by me. Since April 13, 1951, they have been subjected to undue harassment by government officials of Assam and militants alike. They have been extorted and deprived of their rights and properties, young girls have been subjected to untold horrors, they have been arrested for no crime, they have been forced to pay taxes on land, house and domestic animals that they rear, they are deprived of drinking water, healthcare, education, road connectivity and electricity.”
Steps taken for safety of people living along Assam – Jaintia Hills border
a. The concerned Deputy Commissioner has been taking up matters with his counterpart in Assam by protesting various developmental/ construction activities taken up by the Assam Government in the disputed areas.
b. In order to instil confidence in the minds of the villagers living along the inter-State border with Assam, Meghalaya Police have intensified mobile and foot patrolling especially in the areas of dispute.
c. Magistrates and Police are promptly taking action on all incidents having a bearing on law and order in the areas.
d. The District Police of West Jaintia Hills have been closely monitoring the developments in the border areas and are in constant contact with their counterparts in Assam.
Decision taken in West Jaintia Hills and West Karbi Anglong DC-level meet
a. Both sides agreed to maintain status quo on already completed developmental construction;
b. Keeping in view of the border talks at the Chief Minister level, it is desirable to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas;
c. Regarding law and order issues, both sides will undertake close co-ordination to maintain peace and tranquillity in and around the border areas; and
d. Any developmental works shall be informed beforehand by both the counterparts.
Obstruction of development works
With regard to the developmental works of Meghalaya which are being obstructed to by the Government of Assam officials, CM Sangma said that the Chief Secretary has written to her counterpart in Assam to intervene and issue necessary instructions not to hinder the developmental works that are meant for the benefit of the residents of the disputed areas along the inter-state border.
“It was agreed by both the state governments that central government schemes should be allowed to be implemented for the benefit of the people of the inter-state border areas,” he said.
