Border panel wants govt to stop move to set up tax gate at Khanduli by Karbis

Shillong, June 26: The Hynniewtrep Border Disputes Redressal Forum (HBDRF) wanted  the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to oppose the alleged demand by the Socheng Amreng Border Development Committee (SABDC) for land registration and re-establishment of the entry tax gate at Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills.

The border forum submitted a memorandum to Conrad on Wednesday.

The chairman of the Forum C Sungoh said the demand of the Karbi through the SABDC to re-establish the entry tax gate was clearly for the purpose of land encroachment. He said that Khanduli and Myn-I (Am-ih in Karbi) villages are non-disputed areas and are located well within the boundary of Meghalaya.

“Therefore, we urge the government to take up the matter with the Assam counterpart so that the people will remain in peace and harmony,” he said.

“Also, the demand of the Karbi to register the lands of our people to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is a trick or idea to encroach our land. We also noted the government to make it clear that the Rtiang Sanphaw (Arting), Mookoiram Myn-I, Lakaroi are within the boundary of Meghalaya so, there is no confusion among the villagers residing in these villages,” Sungoh said in the letter.

He said that the KAAC had erected the entry tax gate at Khanduli village on April 15, 2023.

“To defend their village boundary, the residents of Khanduli removed the signboard of the entry tax gate on April 16, 2023. Since then the tensions have broken up in these areas between the two communities, the Khasi-Pnar and the Karbis. Further, the Karbis barred the Khasi-Pnar of Khanduli from cultivating their farms and paddy fields located at the Karbi villages and the Khasi-Pnar people had to face road and economic blockade.”, Sungoh said.

He said to settle the situation and restore peace and tranquillity in these areas both  Assam and Meghalaya governments removed the entry tax gate on August 16, 2023.

Deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and cabinet minister of Assam Piyush Hazarika had also visited the area.

“But the Karbis did not accept or respect the decision of both the governments and they again demanded re-establishment of the entry tax gate at the same location. It is clear that the demand of the Karbi goes against the decision of the two governments and the two district councils and it seems like they are trying to provoke communal tension between the two communities,” he said.