M’laya CM assures to talk to Assam on 3 villages

Sangma made the assurance to a joint delegation of NGOs – Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and others – during a meeting held at the secretariat here.

This came a day after Garo-based NGOs had staged a sit-in-demonstration in the city demanding for immediate review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Meghalaya and Assam on March 29, ending the dispute in six of the twelve areas of difference shared between the 2 states.

In their joint memorandum to the CM, the NGOs had alleged that the MoU has failed to consider the historical facts that villages of Mallang Hahuapara (formerly Okgipu Chiring), Mallang Joypur and Mallang Salbari belongs to the Nongbak Aking and the Hima Nonglang, and other villages like Maikuli, Iongkuli, Pillangkatta falls under Raid Marwet.

The protest also came at a time when the second phase of border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference had started as the two state governments have decided to constitute regional committees within the next 15 days.

After the meeting, Sangma told reporters that there is no question of changing the MoU signed with Assam.

“(However), as we move forward in the second phase (of border talks), we will try to talk and discuss with our counterpart (Assam) and see how things can move forward…(as) these are few villages which are right at the border, hardly 10-15 meters away from the line proposed. So we will see how we move forward, there is nothing that I can commit right now but let the process continue,” he assured.

The chief minister also informed that during the meeting, the NGO leaders were shown the historical facts and the 2011 report and based on which the entire discussion had taken place.

“We showed them how the villages, mentioned by them, were already in the 2011 map shown in Assam. Therefore, it was very difficult for us to change that map and report that had been submitted by the government of Meghalaya in 2011 and include those villages that they had mentioned. Hence, it was a huge challenge and we had to move forward with that report of 2011 and they have understood now,” Sangma said.

He continued: “Of course their concern is still there as they say the people’s will is there and the fact that the people desire to be in Meghalaya and they would like to see that at least these few areas that are there some kind of steps could be take up to work out something in those areas. We can’t say anything right now but of course the second phase has started and while discussion takes place, we will see how to move forward.”

“We have clarified all the details to them and they have understood the technical challenges that are there and they realized I presume how this entire process had moved forward and how we came to this conclusion,” he added.

The CM further assured that the government will try its best to address the concerns of the NGOs.

Later, president of the FKJGP Garo Hills Zone Pritam Arengh Marak said the government had pointed out the technical problems of the matter.

“Nonetheless, we told the CM our demands that certain areas mentioned in our memorandum should be reconsidered, should be looked upon as before the MoU was signed with Assam government, these lands belongs to Nongbak Aking and Hima Nonglang,” he said.

He reiterated that the three villages were never disputed lands and Assam too never claimed them as they were always part of Meghalaya.

“The CM assured us that he will look into the matter and see what can be done. However, we are pursuing our demands that these places should remain with Meghalaya,” he added.

When asked, Marak said the CM had maintained that they cannot review the MoU but they will try to rectify the “technical mistakes” which in paper, the three villages now fall under Assam.

He also warned, “If we feel that they (state government) are not trying enough from their end we might resume our different forms of agitations.”

Echoing similar views, president of the FKGJP Central Body Dundee C Khongsit said that the delegation had also asked the Meghalaya government to take advantage of the second phase of border talks by approaching the Assam government and get back these tribal lands.

“It is not about reviewing the MoU but it is a discussion with the counterpart Assam but up till now our stand remains the same we are asking the government to find out the possibilities of how to get back all the areas,” he stated.

By Our Reporter