Shillong, Feb 1: The Hynniewtrep Border Disputes Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has asked the state government not to sign any agreement if there is any refusal by Assam government to transfer back Block I to Meghalaya.
The Forum sent a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs and Chairman of the Regional Committee for West Jaintia Hills Sniawbhalang Dhar in this regard.
HBDRF chairman C Sungoh said, “If the Assam government does not agree to re-transfer Block-I to Meghalaya then the Chief Minister of Meghalaya should not sign any agreement or MoU.”
Sungoh said the Forum also suggested that the regional committee should not limit its visit only to Khanduli-Mukroh- Psiar areas of Meghalaya and Hamren Jrikyndeng from Assam but should follow up on the joint survey reports of the district councils back in 1958.
He said the Forum wanted the report of the regional committee to be tabled in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for discussion.
Notification of April 13, 1951 opposed
In October last year, the Forum had organised a meeting with traditional chiefs and NGO leaders where it was resolved to oppose the notification dated April 13, 1951 because the notification has been done without prior public hearing and without any knowledge and consent of the residents of the concerned villages of Labang Nangphyllut Dolloiship (Block I) and the Dolloi of Elaka Raliang, Elaka Chilliangmyntang and Elaka Nongjngi.
Sungoh said the notification has been done wrongfully by the Government of Assam which forcefully separated the part and parcel of Nongphyllut Dolloiship of Jaintia (Block I) from Jowai civil sub-division and merged it with the United Cachar & Mikir Hills instead to be within the United Khasi & Jaintia Hills District Councils within the state of Meghalaya.
The notification has intentionally made an error in the name of villages and population, he added.
CM hopes for better ties with Assam
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma wished his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma on his birth day on Thursday and hoped that there will be better ties with Assam.
“Wishing the Hon’ble CM of Assam, Dr. @himantabiswa ji a happy birthday. He is making laudable efforts in shaping the progress of Assam and in working together in strengthening sister state ties between Assam and Meghalaya. I pray for his long and healthy life”, Conrad said.
