Shillong, Nov 26: Activists of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) on Saturday organized a rally to protest against the recent killing of five Khasi villagers in a firing by Assam police at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills District.

The rally held at the premises of the state central library was followed by a candlelight vigil to pay respect to the departed souls and extend solidarity with the bereaved families.

Speaking to reporters, HITO president Donbok Dkhar slammed both the Meghalaya and Assam governments for delaying to resolve the long pending boundary dispute. He said the Centre decided to institute a CBI probe into the Mukroh firing incident because it does not trust the Assam and Meghalaya governments.

Referring to the claims of Assam that Mukroh village falls under their territory, Dkhar said, “You can say that the land belong to you, me also I can say that the land belong to me, but in the end this is nothing but will depend on the political will of both Assam and Meghalaya governments.”

He further demanded the state government that the fund to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore sanctioned for the Cherry Blossom Festival should go to the families of the departed victims and those injured in the Mukroh firing.

Meanwhile, the HITO also submitted a memorandum to the Resident Commissioner of Assam House urging the Assam government to shut down the Forest Beat House at Mukroh and Mokoilum till peace and normalcy is restored in the border. “…we urge and appeal to the Assam government to shut down the Forest Beat House located between Mukroh and Mokoilum for time being till peace and security come to normalcy…,” it said in the letter.

The HITO also reminded the resident commissioner about the 2003 incidents where six persons were brutally killed by the Karbi Anglong outfit (KNV) and said, “sadly nobody spoke about it because everyone was too threatened by the murderer (KNV).”