Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The general secretary of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Donald Thabah on December 19 said that the state government of Meghalaya should persuade its Assam counterpart to remove the newly reconstructed Assam beat office from Mukroh.
The Assam government has reconstructed the beat office of the forest department after it was dismantled by the public of Mukroh following the November 22 shooting incident at Mukroh that left five casualties from Meghalaya and one forest beat personnel from Assam.
The union along with the members of dorbar shnong of Mukroh wanted to meet Chief Minister Conrad Sangma over the matter but was reportedly told that the CM is unwell.
Speaking to the press, Thabah said, “We visited Mukroh recently and found that Assam reconstructed the Beat House which was even better furnished than the last one and there were officials there. The beat office is present inside the territory of Mukroh. They (Assam) entered illegally.”
Stating that no permission was sought by Assam, he said that Assam entered the place illegally and constructed the beat office and they have posted police personnel.
He stated that the Assam forest officials would detain the people from Meghalaya who go to the fields and forests to collect forest products, if they do not pay up.
“We appeal to the CM to persuade his Assam counterpart to immediately remove the beat office of the forest department of Assam so as to remove any apprehensions and tensions,” he said.
Thabah went on to say that as a goodwill gesture between the two states, Assam should have the forest camp removed.
On the other hand, he said that there should be enough manpower and infrastructure in the border outposts.
The group will seek re-appointment with the chief minister.