Shillong, April 26: The KHADC’s boundary panel has decided to file a petition in the court against the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Meghalaya and Assam governments since it has affected the land belonging to five traditional heads.
The decision was made at a meeting convened by the Council’s Boundary Committee with the traditional heads from Hima Mylliem, Hima Nongspung, Hima Jirang, Hima Nonglang and Hima Jyrngam Sirdarship.
They are from the two districts -West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi.
Executive Member in-charge Elaka, Jambor War told reporters that they have “unanimously decided to move to the court against the MoU signed between Meghalaya and Assam as it seeks to transfer lands falling under the jurisdiction of the five Himas to Assam.”
War said a coordination committee has been constituted to recommend to the boundary committee on how to move forward in this regard.
“The coordination committee will submit a report to the boundary committee for its final approval before we move to the court,” War said
According to former KHADC chief PN Syiem, who is also a member of the boundary committee, the decision was taken finding no other options.
“We feel there is no other option left but to move to the court after the state government through the chief minister and deputy chief minister had clearly stated that the MoU will not be reviewed again,” he said.
The boundary committee has not decided whether to approach the High Court or the Supreme Court.
Syiem asserted that the MoU is unconstitutional.
“The signing of the MoU to transfer certain lands falling under the jurisdiction of Hima is against the Constitution of India, because the boundary of the Hima is the boundary of the state. The question is the court will scrutinise our claims along with evidence. If our claim is strong, they can scrap the MoU or even stay the second phase of border talks till the final verdict of the court. Since these are our lands, we feel we have to approach the court for its intervention.”
He said the boundary of the state is based on the boundary of the Khasi states and added that the Assam Reorganization Act, 1969 had clearly mentioned that the boundary of the autonomous state will be as defined in the Sixth Schedule where the boundary of the Khasi states will be the boundary of the autonomous state.
The North East Reorganization Act, 1971 also mentioned that the section 3 of the Assam Reorganisation Act will be the boundary of the new state of Meghalaya, he said.
To a question, UDP leader and nominated member Bindo M Lanong said, “Once we go to court everything comes to a standstill. All these will come to a standstill by procedure of stay.”
