‘Assam using ultras to harass villagers’

SHILLONG, OCT 7: Residents of villages in disputed areas along the inter-state border with Assam are facing harassment from underground elements allegedly supported by the Assam government, Jaintia Hills unit of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) said on Tuesday.

“The Assam government is using underground elements to harass Khasi villagers in villages under block-I area if they refuse to cooperate with the “gaonboras appointed by it,” the union president Ohibeit Dkhar told reporters at a news conference.

Dkhar said that continuing its encroachment in Meghalaya territory, the Assam government  has appointed these paid gaonboras despite the villages already having headmen recognized by the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

According to Dkhar, Assam has introduced the gaonboras in villages like Skap, Labang Nangphyllut and others located near Moolber village in block – I.

“Such tactic adopted by Assam has disrespect and violated the cultural rights of the Khasi indigenous people,” Dkhar said adding “This has also created division among residents of the villages.”

Dkhar said during the union’s inspection in these  border villages, the residents have also revealed that the gaonboras are also paid by the government of Assam and if they fail to cooperate with them, the latter would use underground elements to threatened and harass them.

Dkhar said that the union had also met the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the JHADC Thombor Shiwot on the matter. He said, “The CEM has assured the delegation to conduct a joint inspection to these affected villages very soon.”

The KSU vice president Stream Niangti said that the Assam government is taking advantage of the situation in view of the lackadaisical attitude of the Meghalaya government towards the people residing in the inter-state border.

Castigating the state government, Niangti said the government has failed to provide police outposts in the border area to ensure safety and security to the people whereas the government of Assam is encroaching by setting up police outposts inside Meghalaya territory.

Niangti said the government is not sensitive to the issue and problem faced by the residents.- By Our Reporter