SHILLONG:
Thirty-nine villages, including Langpih, of West Khasi Hills have expressed their desire to remain in Meghalaya and surrendered their Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Assam government, on June 23.
“It is for consideration of the government ahead of the second round of border talks. Both Meghalaya and Assam have been providing schemes and giving the villagers EPICs for the past many years. But I am happy that most of the residents from these 39 villages have given up their Assam EPICs so that it becomes easier for the regional committee to resolve the dispute in this region when they commence its field visits,” said National People’s Party (NPP) member of district council from Rambrai-Jyrngam, Bajop Pyngrope, who led the delegation and met deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in this regard.
Pyngrope also informed that a joint memorandum, signed by the headmen and secretaries of the 39 villages, was also submitted to the deputy Chief minister in this regard. Out of 39, there are 20 Khasi villages and 19 are Garo Hills.
Pyngrope further added that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two states is a complicated issue but with 95 per cent of the residents of the region ready to be in Meghalaya, it won’t be difficult to convince the remaining five per cent. “The Himas have taken up the task of convincing them to be part of the state,” he said.
Admitting that the two chief ministers are yet to decide on when will the second round of talks will commence, the MDC said, “Before we go to war, we have to be equipped and ready; we don’t want to take decisions hastily and hence, we are here. We want to prepare ourselves well, so that when the regional committees make the field visits, the process is smooth.”
Further, the Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC also urged the people to be firm and united on their stand to ensure there is no confusion after the agreement is signed between the two states.
“Confusion arose after the first round of border talks because some elements told the regional committee during its visit that they want to be in Assam. So, I feel, during the second round of talks, there shouldn’t be mixed responses. So, I request the people to stand united and be univocal about their desire to be in Meghalaya,” he said.