Shillong, June 25: MDA government spokesperson and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday assured safety and security of the people residing along the inter-state border following tension arising out of the alleged tree plantation by Assam in a village falling under the jurisdiction of the West Jaintia Hills District.
“The Meghalaya police have stepped into the picture. We will intervene and ensure the safety and security of the residents of the affected areas. I will also be meeting the Deputy Chief Minister incharge Home to get further details and update on this,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
A crowd of over 400 people from Lapangap village and adjoining villages along with pressure groups dismantled a wooden structure and uprooted tree saplings as a mark of protest against the plantation activities carried out by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAACHA), which according to them is an attempt to illegally encroach into Meghalaya territory.
Lyngdoh informed that the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge transport, Sniawbhalang Dhar, had convened a meeting of the regional committee for West Jaintia Hills a couple of weeks back. The MDA government spokesperson, however, said he does not have any information if the plantation falls under a disputed area.
“Since the Deputy CM in-charge of transport is also the chairman of the regional committee of West Jaintia Hills, he will be the best person to respond to your queries,” he added.
When asked if Meghalaya would register a protest against such illegal encroachment, Lyngdoh replied in the affirmative, saying, “Absolutely. If you recall the meeting we had at the CM’s level, (it) was very cordial and as a follow-up to that the Deputy Chief Minister, who represents the West Jaintia Hills sector of the disputed areas, had also gone to meet his counterpart, the chairman of the regional committee from Assam. I suggest that you also follow up the matter with him as chairman of the committee.”
Regarding the ongoing efforts to resolve the border dispute, Lyngdoh said, “As many as five villages have now been covered under what we called ‘resolved areas’ or areas where differences have been resolved and the formal announcement will be made on Independence Day on August 15. So, before we reach August 15, we will maximize attempts to resolve this particular sector as well.”
