Don't be an aggressionist, promote peace - Meghalaya minister Dasakhiat tells Assam

SHILLONG:  

Meghalaya Fisheries Minister Dasakhiat Lamare on Thursday condemned the recent border skirmish with Assam at Iongkhuli village under Jirang constituency in Meghalaya and asked the neighbouring state to promote peace until a proper solution is arrived at.

“Don't be an aggressionist; yes, there are areas of differences but until we find a proper solution, please promote peace,” Lamare said. 

Lamare, who is also the MLA of Mawhati – a constituency in Ri Bhoi district that shares a border with Assam, said that in any area of differences, there will always be conflict but it depends on the situation, adding that many times, he has had to visit the border to resolve these minor differences.  

It may be mentioned that a disputed area – Block II also falls under the Mawhati constituency.  

“In my area - Block II - there have been so many incidents but we try to solve them peacefully and as per my knowledge, in Ri Bhoi district, this is the first time that such an intense incident (Iongkhuli clash) had occurred," Lamare said.

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He informed that ever since he became the Mawhati MLA, there have been two clashes – one at Umru where the Assam government tried to set up a police outpost but was stopped by Meghalaya.  

The second incident was the construction of two school buildings by the Meghalaya government, which was stopped by Assam. “This project is still on halt and we are still holding talks on the matter. There have been many projects from Assam as well in Block II that have been disturbed by our people and are on halt,” he said.  

When asked about the agreement between the chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya on the “give and take” policy or the redrawing of the borders, Lamare didn’t want to comment on the same, stating that this had been a subject of discussion for many years now. 

“The ‘give and take’ system has been discussed for so many years. So, I cannot really comment on it. Let us see. I can only say that we will try to bring the best solution for both the states,” the minister said.  

He is hopeful that in a few months’ time or maybe a year, the talks between the two chief ministers would bear fruits and a solution can be arrived at, if not 100 per cent, at least 40 to 50 per cent.  

Reacting to the Congress’ claim on lack of manpower in the borders on Meghalaya side, Lamare brushed aside the claims and said, “They are wrong. we don't lack manpower. As soon as that the Iongkhuli incident happened, the Home department had deployed so many police personnel from different battalions." 

Commenting on developmental activities on the borders, the NPP legislator said there is an accord that states that whatever schemes to be availed in disputed areas should be implemented with an understanding between both sides. 

“Most schemes we try to implement based on this accord but there (were) times when we (witnessed) Assam not honouring the accord and we had to go to the borders to speak to the Assam officials. There had been times when MLAs from Assam would come to Meghalaya to hold talks on such issues,” he added.

Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie

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