HANM threatens to launch agitation over border dispute issue

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 22, 2019

SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Achik National Awakening Movement (HANM) has threatened to launch intensive agitational programmes if the state government further delay to resolve the long pending inter-state boundary dispute with Assam.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong here on Friday, HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani said, “We have demanded the state government to immediately resolve the boundary dispute with Assam.”

According to him, it is unfortunate that Meghalaya which is going to celebrate its 50^th year of statehood in 2022 does not have a proper demarcated boundary.

Asked, Kharbani said the deputy chief minister has informed the delegation that talks between the chief ministers of the two states will be held after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“However, if there is no positive outcome during the meeting, we would be compelled to intensify our agitations,” he said.

He further informed that the HANM would also seek the Centre’s intervention into the matter immediately after the formation of the new government.

“It is high time that the Government of India should intervene for bring long lasting peace at the border areas,” Kharbani added.

Meanwhile, the HANM also demanded the state government to appoint indigenous government officers as deputy commissioners in the districts which are bordering with Assam citing that they can better understand the problems faced by the border residents.

“We have also urged the state government to take up with the Centre to have our own Meghalaya regiment so that this will also open up employment opportunities to the local people,” Kharbani said.