Meghalaya is already tense with several political outfits, including the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, and NGOs calling a three-day bandh from May 18.
Meanwhile, a day after his return from Langpih, where he had gone along with Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswas and Revenue Minister Bhumindhar Burman, Lyngdoh said: “The situation is still tense but the government is doing its best to instil confidence in villagers by deploying a company of Meghalaya Police.” He said the two ministers agreed with him that land disputes between the two states must be resolved amicably.
Lyngdoh said his government’s “immediate task” was to ensure peace prevailed in Langpih. “For a long time about 150 Nepalese families had been living in Langpih in congenial co-existence with the Khasis there,” Lyngdoh said. Problems began, he said, when Assam encouraged more non-Indian Nepalese to settle in the village.
Lyngdoh said the new settlers must leave Langpih and Assam must compensate for the loss of lives and meet the financial requirements of the people injured in the firing.