”The Assam government has been trying all means and way to disrupt the peace and tranquility in Langpih area by pushing Nepalese nationals with the main aim of illegally claiming 108 Garo-Khasi villages, which fall under Nongstoin Assembly constituency in Meghalaya,” GKPF president N K Lyngdoh told reporters here.
He said the GKPF also opposed the inclusion of the 108 villages under proposed Rabha Hasong Autonomous District Council, which they claimed to fall under West Khasi Hills district and fall under the looked out of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
The GKPF which submitted a memorandum submitted to Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang had demanded from the state government for setting up of police outpost to protect the indigenous people residing in those areas.
”We have aired our grievances, how the Assam government sent its police personnel to Langpih and harassing the local indigenous people and protecting the Nepalese nationals who are creating terror,” Mr Lyngdoh said.
He said the Meghalaya government should re-install the Langpih Border Outpost, upgrading the Aradonga Police Outpost and Kyrshai Border Outpost into a regular police station, besides regularizing the Lejadubi Border Outpost and installation of Border Outpost at Mallangkona.
Mr Lyngdoh also urged the Meghalaya government to implement all developmental schemes which includes rural electrification, drinking water, setting up of schools and agricultural schemes and providing road connectivity in the area.
This apart, the GKPF also demanded restoration of original polling booths of Langpih, Hakumari and Kampholduli polling stations at their original places.
Late last year, the Chief Secretary level meeting of both the states had agreed in principle to maintain status-quo and that the border dispute should be solved within the ambit of the Indian constitutions.
In 1985, the Assam and Meghalaya governments entrusted Justice YV Chandrachud to head the Committee of experts for opinion on the constitutional aspects of the boundary demarcation between the two neighbouring states.
Assam claimed Langpih based on the recommendations of Justice YV Chandrachud committee report. However Meghalaya has rejected the committee’s report.
Meghalaya has 12 areas of difference with Assam.