Assam has no right to claim land of Khasi states: SOMALA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 11, 2021

Social Organizations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) on Thursday said that the government of Assam has no right to claim the land of the Khasi states along the inter-state border.

In a statement, SOMALA convener W Anthony said that the former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong aptly stated that the Justice YV Chandrachud Commission had submitted its report in the year 1987 without any recommendation and suggestion.

He said the territories of the Federation of Khasi States now remain and await settlement of boundary with Assam.

He said the Khasi States were brought within the Dominion of India by means of the Instrument of Accession and Standstill Agreement but the land of these areas are not in the common list of the Dominion of India.

“Therefore, the Dominion of India and the Provincial government of Assam have no power right or justification over the land of the Khasi states during that period.  Now also the government of Assam has no right to claim the land of the Khasi states through border issues,” Anthony said.

Stating that the Khasi states have now been brought under the provision of the Sixth Schedule, the convener said the question now arises whether the border of Assam and Meghalaya are co-terminus with those of the Khasi states concerned.