The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) today met cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh who is also the chairman of the regional committee West Khasi Hills to urge upon the state government to take up with the election commission of India (ECI) against dual voters in Langpih area.
Speaking to media persons, general secretary of HANM Kyllang Thongi alleged that the people residing in border areas especially those of non-tribal community are holding dual epic and this has created hardship for both state governments to resolve the long pending border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
Thongni informed that during the meeting, the HANM had demanded from the chairman of the regional committee to take up the matter with ECI and have also suggested to constitute an inquiry committee to find out the ground reality with regard to dual EPIC holders in the Langpih area and also in other border areas of Meghalaya and Assam.
“Many residents in Langpih area particularly non-tribal hold dual EPIC one in Meghalaya and one in Assam with just changing one alphabet but in fact are the same person residing in the same village and this has created hurdles in solving the border in Langpih” said Thongni.
Thongni asserted that from the organization they have urged the cabinet minister who is also chairman of regional committee West Khasi to not base the border talks with Assam on the EPIC as people from both Meghalaya and Assam who are residing in Langpih areas are having dual EPIC cards.
He added that in the meeting, the HANM had also urged the minister to take up the matter with the ECI to find out the ground reality so that the border dispute in the Langpih area could be resolved amicably with Assam.