Shillong, Oct 20: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene in the border negotiations and find a solution to this long-standing dispute.
In its memorandum on Monday, HITO pointed out that both state governments have been engaging in dialogue aimed at resolving these long-standing issues, but “their discussions often appear superficial and lack any substantial outcome”.
“Such dialogues serve more as a temporary bandage on a deep-seated wound, offering little more than false hope to the border communities who endure daily hardships, including property destruction, threats to livelihood, and social unrest,” the letter read.
Remembering the recurring violence at Langpih in West Khasi Hills, HITO further wrote, “The Assam Government’s repeated incursions into the territory of Meghalaya, specifically into regions inhabited by the Hynñiewtrep people under the jurisdiction of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, represent a grave violation of established regional agreements.”
The violence at Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills, bordering the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam, is a recent incident of border disturbance. Farmers in the village could not complete harvesting paddy, and the government put a halt to harvesting after the incident.
Referring to the Instrument of Accession and the Annexed Agreement of the Khasi States, HITO said the Indian Government is yet to honour the commitments for over 75 years. “This neglect and violation of human rights has led to continuous injustice against the Hynñiewtrep people and their traditional leaders, who have been deprived of their rights and autonomy,” it added.
