Shillong: The Labang Nongphyllud Pangam Railang Area Committee (LNPRAC) of Block-I on Thursday urged the State Government to convene a meeting with Assam to discuss matters related to safety and security, and to establish a Joint Action Committee composed of leaders from both States as well as the Central Government.
The LNPRAC leaders stated that border residents have been facing ongoing difficulties since Assam took over their lands in 1951 and annexed them to Karbi Anglong.
Summarizing the annexation agreement signed with the Central Government, the Adviser of the group, Paiem Laborious Manik S Syiem, said that according to the agreement, the land belongs to the Khasi state and should remain within the Khasi state. However, in 1951, the Assam Government forcefully annexed the land to Karbi Anglong.
On Thursday, they met with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and submitted a memorandum to express the views of the people, emphasizing that documents clearly state the area falls within Meghalaya.
Paiem Syiem noted that although peace talks between the two states are ongoing, the people in Block-I continue to face problems, with even the village leaders (Rangbah Shnongs) and the youth being assaulted.
He demanded that the land in Block-I be returned to Meghalaya, and called for an urgent meeting with Assam to resolve the issue, using existing witnesses and evidence to ensure the land’s return to Meghalaya.
Paiem Laborious also mentioned that during the meeting, the Chief Minister promised that the Government will work hard to reclaim the entire area for Meghalaya.
