Meghalaya-Assam border clash: Two Ri Bhoi MLAs visit site, demand inquiry into July 26 incident
A heated argument erupted between two Meghalaya MLAs from Ri Bhoi district and Assam officials at Iongkhuli village under Jirang constituency on Tuesday after the duo visited the site to take stock of the ground situation following skirmish that took place in the area, located along the interstate border, between the residents and Assam police on July 26.
The two Congress MLAs - George B Lyngdoh, a legislator from Umroi and Mayralborn Syiem from Nongpoh alleged that the high-handedness of the Assam Police has been witnessed when they did not want to even listen to reasons and repeatedly claimed their authority over the land which has been under the possession and jurisdiction of Hima Myliem through the Syiem of Raid Marwet, Ri Bhoi District.
According to the two MLAs, the July 26 incident was a violation of the Land Transfer Act and an illegal registration of land under Assam. They also expressed concern over the reported lack of assertiveness and presence from Meghalaya side.
In a letter addressed to the Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on July 27, the two MLAs demanded an immediate deployment of adequate police personnel to longkhuli to ensure that peace, to institute an official inquiry headed by an officer of the rank of Commissioner & Secretary on the alleged violation of the Land Transfer Act in longkhuli village in order to ascertain the ground realities, to ensure that an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary is instructed to visit the area to ensure that the electrification scheme is completed and pre-empt any further disruption of this important developmental programme.
Meanwhile, Assam officials have claimed that the skirmish was a result of an alleged attempt by Meghalaya to erect electricity poles on Assam land in Khanapara area of Guwahati.
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It may be mentioned that the incident along the Meghalaya-Assam border occurred around the same time when violence broke out along the Assam-Mizoram border, leading to the death of six police personnel and injuring many others.
(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)
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