Shillong, September 05: The traditional heads of the 36 villages under Block-I today met with the Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Prestone Tynsong for assurance that these villages will fall under Meghalaya, and that no problems arise in the second phase of the border resolution between Meghalaya and Assam.
Speaking with media persons, the Secretary of Langbang-Nongphyllud-Pangam-Raliang Council, Marcus M.Thaïang said that Block-I is under the Elaka of Langbang-Nongphyllud-Pangam-Raliang Dolloiship, which falls under Meghalaya.
He said that the traditional heads of the 36 villages have expressed before the Government that in this second phase of the border resolution, no problems should arise at all as it did in the first phase. He also said that the traditional heads will also have their wishes heard before the Chief Minister of Meghalaya on the 8th of September.
He said that the traditional heads want the 36 villages to come under Meghalaya and added that the Government should not decide single-handedly or bypass the office bearers of the traditional administration, and before the talks begin, they must consult with them so that there are no misunderstandings. He said that the Government in this phase of the border resolution must also take into account the way of life of the people in the region right from cultural practices and language because in Block -I, almost all the citizens are Khasi-Pnar people.
Thaïang said that the meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister was a pleasant meeting, and informed that Tynsong had taken note of the pleas of the traditional heads. He also informed that the traditional heads have arranged the required documents relating to the areas in Block -I which will be disclosed at the meeting of the two Chief Ministers.
On the other hand, when speaking with Commingson Dkhar who is the Chairman of the Langbang-Nongphyllud-Pangam-Raliang Area Committee, he said that as per the census collected of residents, the number of Khasi-Pnar residents in Langbang-Nongphyllud are about 13 thousand in total, while residents from other communities comprise of about 3-4 thousand.
