Steps to ensure protection of Khasi-Pnar in Assam, Rymbai

Shillong, Jul 5 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister J Dringwell Rymbai today said all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the interests of the Khasi-Pnar people living in Block I and II areas of Asom are protected.

The Chief Minister also said the state government had requested the Asom government to increase the presence of Asom Police in Block I area.

Replying to calling attention notice moved by Meghalaya Democratic Party legislator Draison Kharshiing on the protection of the Khasi-Pnar people, Mr. Rymbai informed the Assembly that the Khasis and Karbis have been living in communal harmony for hundred years.

However, in the recent past, he said tension had been caused by militant organisations based in Karbi-Anglong district of Assam viz.

the United Peoples' Democratic Solidarity and Karbi National Volunteers.

He said such tensions in 2003 have caused an exodus of Khasi-Pnar people from Assam to Meghalaya. The matter was later settled amicably with the Asom government, he added.

The Chief Minister also reminded the members of the House that Khasi-Pnar people settled in Block-II areas were evicted and had to be put in a camp at Lumdorbar in Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya.

Informing the House that ''UPDS have been active again in Block I areas, the Chief Minister said suspected UPDS ultras recently had beaten some people from Saba village in Jaintia Hills who had gone to Wanpung village (between Ukhyrmi and Moolber village in the Karbi Anglong district).

Mr. Rymbai said on June 19 and 27, last, suspected UPDS militants again fired on Meghalaya police patrol from Mukroh village (Jaintia Hills district) and attacked the Khanduli Border Out Post of Meghalaya police leading to an encounter.

So far, he said, the state police seized one AK-47 rifle, one Chinese rifle and one camera, one loaded of magazine of AK-47, with 13 rounds of ammunition from both the place of the encounter.

Though there were no reports of any casualty from either side, however, Mr. Rymbai said the militants on their retreat fired upon a house by the roadside injuring one Mon Bahadur Chetri.

Following these incidents, the Chief Minister said the state government had informed both the central and Asom government to take requisite action against the UPDS for flouting the ceasefire ground rules.

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