Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
State Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, said that he will not resign from his post despite demands from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and from within his own party to do so in the wake of the Mukroh shooting incident.
“This is not the time to play politics. Let them say what they wish,” Rymbui said.
It may be mentioned that national secretary of the BJP, Rituraj Sinha, who recently visited Mukroh, had demanded the state Home Minister’s resignation.
The Home Minister is facing criticism even from his own party – the United Democratic Party (UDP).
UDP member of district council from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and former MLA, Paul Lyngdoh had also asked for Rymbui’s resignation.
Meanwhile, the Home Minister also said that Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills was never an area of difference between Assam and Meghalaya even as he added that historically Block I and II are part of the state.
Disputed Block I and Block II were transferred from the then United Khasi and Jaintia districts to Assam’s Karbi Anglong district for administrative convenience in 1951. A majority of those living in Block I and Block II are Khasis and Pnars who want the areas to be brought back under Meghalaya.
Last week, when state unit leaders of the BJP, which included cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai and president Ernest Mawrie, visited Mukroh, they came across an Assam Police officer who claimed that the area was part of Assam.
Villagers also alleged that Assam authorities collect money from them in the area which is in Meghalaya.
Assam and Meghalaya have a longstanding dispute in 12 stretches.
These are Upper Tarabari, Gizang Reserve Forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Mawtamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Retacherra.
In the first phase of the border talks between Meghalaya and Assam, a memorandum of understanding was signed between both the states earlier this year in six area of difference. The six areas of differences in the first phase are, Tarabari, Zizang, Hahim, Pilangkata-Khanapara, Boklapara and Ratacherra.
In the second phase contentious areas like Langpih in West Jaintia Hills and Blocks I and II which are now under Karbi Anglong district are to be resolved.