Assam Government construction in disputed area suspended: Conrad

Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, April 5: Meghaya  Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday clarified the state government’s position on the construction carried out by Assam Government in the disputed Block II Area located in the fringes of Ri Bhoi District and Karbi Anglong.

Replying to a Zero Hour notice brought up by Congress MLA from Umroi, George Lyngdoh, Conrad informed the House that the construction site for setting the out post of the Assam police is located by the side of Umsohphoh river bordering Tyrso village, Ri-Bhoi district.

The Chief Minister informed that on March 15, this year, the construction work started with iron rod post erected at the site and the same was reported to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner.

“Reports indicated that on the intervention of the Ri-Bhoi DC, the construction work of the outpost was stopped on March 20 till the matter is resolved by the DCs of Ri-Bhoi (Meghalaya) and West karbi Anglong (Assam),” the Chief Minister said.

Conrad however stated that the very next day on March 21, the Assam police again resumed construction work in the presence of Assam battalion personnel and labourers.

“On being questioned, they stated that the higher authorities from Hamren, West Karbi Anglong in Assam instructed them to continue with the construction work,” the Chief Minister said.

He also informed the House that the Superintendent of Police of Ri-Bhoi district was instructed to ensure maintence of law and order in the area and to closely monitor the developments. Conrad also informed that on March 22, the Meghalaya Chief Secretary wrote to his Assam counterpart requesting her to intervene and stop the construction work, following which the work has ceased by March 23. He also said that the district administrations of Meghalaya and Assam are liaising and monitoring the situation in the area to preempt any untoward incidents.

He also informed the House that in protest against the construction by the Assam government the people of Umru village held a public meeting on March 23, at Tyrso, Lumdiengjri ME School and thereafter proceeded to Umru village where NGOs and Dorbar Shnong Raid Nongtung attended.

Meanwhile, Revenue and Disaster Magement Minister, Kyrmen Shylla informed the House that a total area of 2729.14 sq kms is in dispute along the boundary between Meghalaya and Assam.

Earlier, opposition Congress legislator from Umroi George B Lyngdoh suggested that the state government should visit the disputed border areas with Assam to ensure that the boundary pillars of the state are intact