Hynniewtrep border panel petitions human rights commission
Atrocities against border residents
Shillong, Jan 7: The Hynniewtrep Border Disputed Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has petitioned Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on the alleged human rights violations by Assam against the people of Labang Nangphyllut in West Jaintia Hills district.
On behalf of the forum, its leaders Thomas Passah and Chandame Sungoh stressed the need of addressing the plight of border residents.
In a letter to the chairperson of MHRC on Tuesday, the forum said, “We urge the National Human Rights Commission to intervene into the matter as soon as possible so that the State Government or the Central Government may have their concern on these people.”
The forum said between 2000 to 20017 -18, people of Labang Nangphyllut faced a lot of aggressions by the Karbi militant groups known as Karbi National Volunteer (KNV) Karbi People Liberation Tigers (KPLT) Karbi Longri Raikom Asong (KLRA) United People Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and others.
These militant groups had demanded Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 every household as House Tax every year. They also demanded money from those who have paddy fields and cattle. “They enter villages, grab cattle, chicken, goats, cow, pig, rice, vegetables etc. They had also sexually harassed women and children, assaulted young boys and elderly persons, the letter added.
Tax on broomstick
The forum has also urged the chief minister Conrad Sangma to take up with Assam government for reducing tax on broomstick.
In a letter to Sangma, the forum said, “…on behalf of all the Khasi Pnar people of Block -I & II, we request you to take up with the Hon’ble Chief Minister Assam for reducing the tax on Broomstick.”
The Assam government has not recognised Broomstick as an agricultural product but it is considered as a forest product.
“This leaves ample opportunities for Assam Forest department and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Forest Department to levy exorbitant taxes on broomsticks and at present Rs 12, 000 to Rs 15, 000 is being charged per Mahindra Bolero Pick-up Truck,” the letter said.
“Due to bad road conditions, the pickup truck can carry 1.2 metric tons i.e 1200 kgs only while the tax comes to Rs 10 to 12 per kg. Thus, the Khasi Pnar people of Block -I & II bear a great loss and their hard work is in vain”, it said.
“Therefore, we request or urge you to immediately intervene before the time of selling of this product (January 2025) so that our farmers living in the disputed areas will get the right price as they deserved,” the forum said.
