Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
Firm in continuing with the second phase of border talks with Assam despite opposition from various circles, the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, on August 12, claimed that the majority of the people of the state want to resolve the border issue.
“We have decided to continue with the border talks because the majority of the people want to see a solution to the vexed problem once and for all,” said Tynsong, on the sidelines of a programme.
Voices of resentment against the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Meghalaya and Assam have been echoing from different parts of the state since the pact was signed on March 29. And the most recent of them was a public rally taken out by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), West Khasi Hills District, in Nongstoin to protest against the border pact on August 11. Hundreds took to the street raising flags and slogans and staged a march opposing the give-and-take policy that led to the signing of the boundary agreement.
Interestingly, the rally was held two days after Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had informed that the second round of talks between Meghalaya and Assam on the remaining six areas of difference will begin after the Independence Day celebrations on August 9.
Meanwhile, reacting to the Sur ka Bri U Hynniewtrep’s (the Voice of Hynniewtrep) plans to observe a black flag day on August 13 as a mark of protest against the government alleged inaction to bring the culprits involved in the alleged killing of Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew to book, Tynsong appealed to the group not to take law in their hands during the observance.
The Deputy Chief Minister informed that he has asked the group to be patient and wait till September 9 when the Autumn session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will begin and reiterated that the report of his death will be tabled then.
“They can (observe) whatever programme they feel like in his (Thangkhiew’s) honour but my request to them is please, do not create any law and order situation. We do not want to see another law and order problem,” he said.
He added that their sentiment to not have any police presence in and around Mawlai is respected but the observation should be peaceful.
Earlier on August 11, leaders of the group had urged the administration not to term their call to observe a black flag day in Mawlai on August 13 as an attempt to subvert the Independence Day celebrations. A day before on August 10, the The group had also demanded the government to not deploy any police personnel from August 12 to 15 as it wants to ensure that the first death anniversary of Thangkhiew passes off peacefully on August 13.