Meghalaya NGOs urge government to solve boundary row

Shillong, Jun 4 (UNI) Perturbed over the Assam government's ''illegal encroachment'' inside Meghalaya, especially over Langpih, several NGOs have asked the Meghalaya government to exercise restraint and find an amicable solution to the problem.

The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), West Khasi Hills unit, while resenting Assam Government's move to ''forcibly'' lay the foundation stone of a Health Sub Centre (HSC) at Langpih, urged the Meghalaya government to undertake developmental activities in the area.

''If the Assam government could announce a developmental package of Rs 10 crore for Langpih, then the state government here should also take a similar initiative,'' the FKJGP said.

Urging the Meghalaya government to take up the matter with the Centre, the FKJGP said the state government should immediately set up a police outpost at Langpih to protect the interest of local people residing in the area.

The Federation further maintained that the Congress-led government in Assam had a ''hidden agenda'' and cautioned the Meghalaya government and the people of the state to be alert.

Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) President G H Kharshanlor accused the Congress of ''double standards'' in connection with border dispute between Meghalaya and Assam.

Mr Kharshanlor accused the Congress of foul play on the border dispute with the intention to remove the MPA government from power and cautioned the people against such ''nefarious designs''.

The organisation appealed to the government to set up three police outposts one at Langpih, West Khasi Hills, and the other two at Basiar, Jaintia Hills and Sabuda in Block-II to discourage encroachment.

The Khasi Students' Union has also urged the Government and all political parties to join hands and find an amicable solution to the problem. The students' organisation said the MPA Government must exert pressure on its Assam counterpart and the Centre to find a permanent solution to the border disputes between the two neighbouring states.

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