Tynsong expresses concern

Intertiol boundary issue

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Oct 20: Meghalaya Minister of Border Areas Development (BAD) Prestone Tynsong admitted that the concern raised by the Co-ordition Committee on Intertiol Boundary (CCIB) is genuine, even as he exemplifies the state government’s constraints on a subject dealt by the Union Government of two countries- India and Bangladesh.

Tynsong empathized with the CCIB stand especially on the demand that the fencing of the India-Bangladesh border should be on the zero line. He spoke about the losses that a section of border populace of Khasi-jaintia will suffer, if such a step to fence the border above 150 yards beyond the zero line (actual boundary) is taken. However, Tynsong related to the India-Bangladesh bi-lateral deal that deters the State Government from pushing further. “After the land swap deal, we have little role to play because it’s up to the Union Government to address this concern,” Tynsong stated.

The CCIB has demanded that re-alignment of boundary between India and Bangladesh in Meghalaya’s Khasi-Jaintia Hills before the fencing in the disputed areas should be taken place. The minister, however, agreed that the border fence should come from the zero line. The CCIB has decided to stage a protest march next week in protest against the “indifferent attitude” of the government towards the problems related to Indo-Bangla border fencing.

“The LBA has already been ratified by the parliament of India and Bangladesh. Now this issue (re-demarcation of boundary) has become difficult, and the state government has no more roles now,” he said.

Tynsong, a local MLA from the border areas, did not shy away from the popular believe that the fencing from the 150 yards away from the boundary will devoid the border residents from reaping from their plantations.