Northeast Desk, 27th June: The Hynniewtrep Border Disputes Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has appealed to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to intervene in a land dispute involving the Socheng Amreng Border Development Committee (SABDC) in Khanduli village, located in the West Jaintia Hills District.
In a memorandum submitted on Wednesday, HBDRF Chairman C Sungoh expressed concerns over SABDC’s alleged demands to reinstate an entry tax gate. This move is seen as a tactic for land encroachment in non-disputed areas such as Khanduli and Myn-I (known as Am-ih in Karbi). Sungoh emphasized that these areas clearly belong within Meghalaya’s boundaries.
“We urge the government to promptly engage with their Assam counterparts to uphold our people’s rights and maintain peace and harmony,” Sungoh stated. He highlighted the community’s apprehensions over attempts to register local lands under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), fearing that this could lead to further land disputes.
The tensions initially escalated when KAAC installed an entry tax gate at Khanduli on April 15, 2023, prompting local residents to dismantle it the following day. This incident strained relations between the Khasi-Pnar and Karbi communities, disrupting agricultural activities and causing economic hardships due to road blockades.
In a bid to restore calm, both the Assam and Meghalaya governments removed the entry tax gate on August 16, 2023. Despite this, concerns remain unresolved, and the HBDRF’s appeal underscores ongoing efforts to resolve border disputes and ensure stability in the region.
Read More: Former Sikkim MP Pahalman Subba Passes Away