The Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area Raid Nongtung today demanded from the state government to set up Border Outpost or temporary Police Outpost in Umlaper or Ummat and Umtlieh village of Ri-bhoi district.
Earlier the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area along with local MDC Charles Marngar had met chief minister Conrad K Sangma and chief executive member (CEM) of the KHADC to discuss the steps to take forward with the boundary talks between Assam and Meghalaya.
Speaking to media persons, president of the Synjuk, Blikstar Sontun said that the people residing in border areas heap praise on the recent decision of the cabinet to set up 7 police outpost in border areas of the state but it was shocked to learn that these out post are not in disputed areas but they are right in the middle of villages.
Sohtun said that Meghalaya government should not go ahead with the border with Assam until and unless it had set up police outposts in these disputed areas along the stretch of block II as people of Meghalaya till date are being harassed by Assam police and forest officials.
“Meghalaya should set up police out post along all disputed areas especially in Umlaper or Ummat and Umtlieh village to provide security to the people living along the Assam borders and especially to prevent the Assam police and forest officials from harassing our fellow brothers and sisters” said Sohtun.
Sohtun alleged that since inception, Assam government had set up BOP Umrup, Sabuda, Umlaper, Madan Umwang and Umtlieh village and this had encouraged its police and forest personnel to harass the people of Meghalaya till this moment.
He added that people of Meghalaya especially farmers who ply through these villages are being forced to pay Rs. 200 to Rs. 8000 per vehicle by the Assam forest check gate in order to get passage through these gates.
Sohtun informed that even though there is one police outpost in Mawlasnai village yet it fails to provide security to the people as it is 20 to 30 km from Umlaper and Ummat village which are very sensitive in nature.
Meanwhile MDC of Mawhati Charles Marngar alleged that the failure of the state government to set up police outposts in these disputed areas clearly indicates its softness compared to Assam government.
Marngar alleged that Meghalaya government had failed to provide safety to the people residing in border areas as it does not dare to stand tall against Assam government hence the state government should first take a call of setting up border outposts in these sensitive areas before going ahead with border talks.
“We have taken the decision to oppose the decision of the state government to set up police outposts in Thangrang and Tyrso as this will not be helpful for the residents in these border areas” said Marngar.
Marngar said that in the meeting with CEM of KHADC, the Synuk had expressed their desire to set up a police outpost in Umlaper or Ummat and Umtlieh village and he had assured the delegation that he will write to the state government in this matter.