UPDS wants dailogue with Khasi political leaders

Shillong, Jan 30 (UNI) The Asom-based United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) militant outfit has decided to provide security to the Khasi-Pnar residents living in Block I and II areas in Asom's Karbi-Anglong district.

The decision had been conveyed to Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), an ally of the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.

'' They (UPDS) wanted to hold parleys with Khasi political leaders to end the current hostility between the two ethnic communities,'' KHNAM General Secretary Erwin K Syiem Sutnga told mediapersons here.

The UPDS is currently in a cease-fire agreement with the Centre.

''We will reciprocate to their offer through our emissaries after we get more details on their issues for discussions,'' Mr Sutnga said, adding that the outfit should put a stop to all acts of intimidation, threats and extortion in these villages.

In its letter to Mr Sutnga, the UPDS declared and ''recognised'' Khasi-Pnar people living in the two Blocks as ''the sons of the soil of Karbi Anglong''.

Blaming the political leaders of Karbi Anglong for neglecting the Khasi-Pnar community, the KHNAM leader said the UPDS also appealed to Karbi political leaders to take into confidence the Khasi people in building a new social system in Karbi Anglong.

The Karbi militant outfit had also urged the Karbi political leaders to allow the Khasi-Pnar residing in the district to exercise their fundamental right in political system and the need of giving representation to Khasi-Pnar in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) by nominating one from the community as member of the District Council.

The outfit also urged all the political leaders of both Karbi Anglong and Meghalaya to ''refrain from politicising the issue of Blocks I and II for their narrow political gains''.

UNI