SHILLONG, APR 16: The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) issued “quit-notices” to all Nepalese residing along the inter-state border with Assam as well as in the Khasi – Jaintia hills region of the state even as its asked the Assam based militants to refrain from harassing local villagers.
“The outfit issues quit notices to all the Nepali foreigners from Langpih, a disputed village along the inter-state border with Assam and the six districts under Khasi and Jaintia hills region with immediate effect,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued Wednesday.
Nongtraw said the decision was taken following the atrocities that are being imposed upon Khasi villagers residing in Langpih as well as areas of Block I and Block II.
“The illegal Nepali foreign settlers in Langpih had time and again caused huge damages to our people in Langpih. These illegal foreigners are snatching away the livelihood of our people and our lands. These illegal foreigners also enjoy the support of the Assam Government as they are a good source of vote banks,” Nongtraw stated.
According to Nongtraw, the state has witnessed many incidents in the past where these foreigners had assaulted the indigenous tribal. Many villagers of Langpih had also lost their lives in defending themselves from these foreigners.
Nongtraw further claimed that the outfit had received complaints from the people residing in Block I-II areas including Madan Umwang, Umthlieh, Umsalang where the residents were being threatened by Karbi militants and by the people during the elections and even in the past the villagers were issued demand notes by various Karbi groups.
Appealing to various pressure groups in Khasi – Jaintia region to take the matter seriously, Nongtraw said, “The HNLC would not tolerate any interference by the outside groups into its territory.”
Nongtraw said that the Karbi militants group should harass the government of Assam instead of harassing the villagers. He said, “They have political problem with Assam and should not further indulge into the activities such as harassing our Khasi villagers.”
Nongtraw said the council also supports the stand taken by the KSU North Khasi Hills to support its people.
Meanwhile, Nongtraw said that it is time for the youths of block 1 and block 2 to come and join the HNLC to defend its land from the interference of outsiders. He further questioned – Is the state police department blind? Or are they turning a deaf ear to the problems of our people.
Nongtraw observed that it is easier for the Meghalaya police to arrest the HNLC cadres and pro ILP leaders but when it comes to arresting tainted politicians and other militant groups torturing the people ,the police department becomes paralyzed.
Lambasting the failure of the government to end the long pending boundary dispute, Nongtraw said it is the people who will have to come together under a common platform to fight with the injustices of the government and its policies. He said, “It is high time for us to unite, U Khynriam, U Pnar, U Maram, U Lyngngam, U Bhoi, U War, we should join hands together and fight our enemies.”
Giving an open invitation, Nongtraw stated that all the youths of the region who are concerned and willing to fight the common enemy are welcome into the fold of the HNLC.- By Our Reporter
it’s terrible.. But the Outfit has a valid point.
Action speaks louder than words