SHILLONG, SEPT 9: Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong has assured to take up the grievances of residents along the Meghalaya-Assam border in West Khasi Hills with his counterpart in Assam.
The assurance was given to Independent MDC from Rambrai, Lurshai Kharbani, who met Tynsong on Wednesday along with residents of Noapara and other border villages.
Kharbani said people from Kampaduli, Noapara and Bangjen have complained that officials from Assam have been frequently visiting their villages and pressuring them to enrol in the Assam census.
“People from Assam are coming and trying to disturb our people in the border area. They are forcing our people to enrol in the Assam census, but our people have already done it under the Government of Meghalaya. Why should they do it twice?” Kharbani said.
He said villagers had earlier apprised the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of West Khasi Hills about the matter.Kharbani said he has requested the state government to establish a temporary police camp in the affected area to ensure security of the residents.
“By having a temporary camp we will get more peace and security from outside forces. We have demanded that more police force be deployed to protect the villagers,” he said.
According to the MDC, the Home Minister has assured that he will speak to the Chief Secretary of Assam to settle the dispute and that steps will be taken to set up the temporary camp at the earliest.
Kharbani added that similar attempts by Assam officials to conduct a census in the border villages were reported last week, but were opposed by the residents.
By Our Reporter
