The Hynñiewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) has demanded application of a referendum to find solution to the long inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam while asking Meghalaya to resolve the dispute before the State celebrates its 50th year of statehood in 2022.
Carved out of Assam as a full-fledged state on January 21, 1972, Meghalaya will celebrate its golden jubilee in 2022.
The HANM said this on Wednesday as its members joined a sit-in protest near additional secretariat in Shillong to put pressure on the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to find solution to the long pending dispute.
President of the organization, Lamphrang Kharbani told reporters that the NPP had promised the people of the State during the 2018 Assembly elections that if elected to power, the priority of the party would be to solve the inter-state boundary dispute.
“The NPP is in power leading the MDA government now, and it should not any more delay in getting this issue resolved,” Kharbani said.
He said that the State should have proper boundary before celebrating the 50th year of statehood in 2022.
In 1966, when late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh was an executive member of the erstwhile United Khasi Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council, Kharbani said that he had claimed before the Assam Government that areas under Block I and II, Raid Nongtung, Jirang Umthna and several others villages that they fall within the jurisdiction of the Council.
“The delay has led to the state losing many villages including areas under Block I & II to Assam though the areas fall under the then United Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council,” he said.
He also cited the recent incident of clash between Assam police and Khasi villagers at Umwali village near Langpih in West Khasi Hills district due to the delay in solving the boundary dispute
Kharbani said that the organization will meet deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong after February 27 even as he threatened to intensify the agitation if the government continues to delay in solving the matter.
