NHRC directs Home Ministry to solve Megh-Asom border dispute

Shillong, Jul 20 (UNI) Close on the heels of Meghalaya Chief Minister J D Rymbai ruling out seeking Centreal intervention on the inter-state border issue with Asom, the National Human Rights Commission has directed the Union Home Secretary to take immediate action to solve the problem.

Acting on a complaint lodged by Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council, the NHRC registered a case on the inter-state boundary issue based on the mass exodus of more than 200 Khasi-Pnar families from Lum Durbar on June 6, last year.

In its petition, the MPHRC said lack of protection from Meghalaya and Asom governments was the main factor that hindered the return of these displaced people of Khasi origin, who are living under constant fear and threat to their existence.

In the name of maintaining status quo on the issue, the State Rights body alleged, both governments had failed to provide sufficient security, assistance, compensation and rehabilitate the displaced people whose houses were dismantled by officials of Asom Forest department and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.

''There is no end to hardship of those affected people who are powerless to recover their traditional land occupied by Asom,'' the MPHRC said in its petition while informing the NHRC that both states do not even have a clear demarcation of the boundary.

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