Correspondent
DIPHU, Feb 9: The apprehension of border clashes along the Assam-Meghalaya border has once again surfaced, leading to vociferous protest by the people of West Karbi Anglong.
Neither the Government of Assam nor the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has succeeded in resolving the issue till date.
Taking full advantage of the situation, the Meghalaya administration has been repeatedly violating the inter-state border rules. Frustrated, the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) and the Ahoi Kachingthur Amei (AKA) jointly staged a protest at Umkhermi in Amreng locality of the border district recently.
Thousands gathered spontaneously at the protest site. The KSA and the AKA placed a six-point charter of demands before the authority. Their demands include border demarcation in accordance with the 1951 notification, setting up of a border police station at Khatkhasla and an outpost at Mukro, a joint probe into the issue of holding dual voter cards of both states through Election Commission officials, setting up of a check gate at the inter-state border entry point, and a halt to opening of schools by private owners in the border areas.
The protesters pointed out an area of 70 sq km located between Jirikindeng and Phelangpi, where no provincialised school exists. They also demanded health facilities in the border areas.
The memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister and signed by the adviser of KSA Sarsing Engleng and former Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Jotson Bey.
Vandalised: Meanwhile, in a shocking incident, miscreants vandalised the Jengkha police outpost in West Karbi Anglong district yesterday. At least nine police officials were injured in the incident. Several patrolling vehicles and furniture were also destroyed by unidentified miscreants. According to reports, the incident took place after police detained a drunken youth for creating nuisance in the area. Following the incident, a group of people attacked the outpost. At least nine on-duty police officials were injured and they had to fire into the air to control the situation.
