Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area on December 5 demanded that border outposts should be set up at Ummat and Umtlieh in Ri Bhoi district even as the government disagreed asserting that setting up BOPs in disputed areas would be a hurdle to the border dialogues.
The Synjuk was accompanied by Congress MDC Charles Marngar in meeting the Chief Executive Member (CEM) Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Titos Chyne.
Marngar said that the CEM supported the Synjuk and assured to write to the government opposing the setting up of BOPs at Thadrang and Tyrso.
The Synjuk has opposed the move of the state government to set up outposts at Thadrang and Tyrso asserting that these areas are peaceful and do not fall under the disputed areas.
The president of the Synjuk, Blickstar Sohtun, said that the Synjuk has demanded from the state government to set up outposts at Ummat and Umtlieh as these are areas where the residents need protection from Assam’s harassment.
Disagreeing with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong who said that border outposts cannot be stationed at disputed areas, Sohtun pointed out that Assam has 5 outposts stationed in the areas of dispute.
Shortly after meeting Tynsong recently, Sohtun said that a meeting of Raid Nongtung, Raid Thadrang, Raid Tyrso and the Synjuk was held.
“We have arrived at a decision that we will request the government to set up border outposts in the disputed areas. We are ready with the lands also and this is in Ummat and Umtlieh,” he remarked.
Protect border residents
Sohtun said that the government should protect the border residents from Assam police personnel before the government starts the dialogue for phase II.
Stating that they have met the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Sohtun said, “The CM said that having outposts in the disputed areas would create problems in the border dialogue. On our part, we said that we do not feel safe.”
Government is surrendering to Assam
Pointing out that Assam is making preparations to set up BOP at Umsarang, at Umtlieh and other areas, Marngar said, “If the Assam government is setting up border outposts every now and then, I want to ask the CM and Prestone, are you scared to set up outposts? It all goes to show that we surrender to Assam government.”
He went on to say that Assam also sets up outposts in the disputed areas.
Marngar said, “The setting up of BOP at Thadrang and Tyrso clearly indicates that our boundary is at Thadrang and Tyrso. This is unacceptable to us, when we say border outpost, it should be at the border areas. The border outposts should be set up at Ummat and Umtlieh, as the president said.”
He said that the Raid Nongtung and the village of Umthlieh is also willing to give away land for the BOP.
Expressing disappointment, he said, “Our state government does not dare to set up BOP in the border areas. I would be grateful if the government sets up BOP at Ummat and Umtlieh.”
The Letter
The Synjuk on December 3 sent a letter to the Tynsong stating that, the Assam Government and the KAAC intends to set up PHE Office in Umlaper Village while a Police Border Outpost in Umsarang Village beside a Sub Division Office in Madan Umwang Village beside construction of Inspection Bungalow of Forest Department in Jatalong.
The Synjuk stated that, the distance of Mawlasnai OP to Umlaper or Ummat is 20 to 30 kilometer so it will take a considerable long time for Meghalaya Police to come to the rescue of the Khasi people in case of any incident.
In this connection, the Synjuk demanded from the state government to set up a Border Outpost or temporary police outpost in Umlaper or Ummat and Umtlich with sufficient police personnel not less than 50 with latest arms and weapons and crowd control equipment.