Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday reiterated that Mukroh is very much within Meghalaya.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by opposition VPP legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum, Sangma said that as per the census code, Mukroh is under the jurisdiction of West Jaintia Hills District.
He said that the government has also set up polling stations in Mukroh in the recently concluded Assembly elections besides fair price shops, lower primary school, health sub centre and others.
The chief minister informed that as on March 17, over 502 job cards were issued in Mukroh for the benefit of the residents.
“Our stand is very clear that Mukroh is very much in Meghalaya,” he stated.
Whether the government has filed an FIR against the killing of five innocent lives by the Assam police on November, last year, the chief minister said a case has been registered with the Nartiang police station.
He said that the matter is subjudice as investigation by a commission of inquiry is still on.
UDP legislator from Mokaiaw Nujorki Sungoh asked if action has been taken on the demand to immediately remove the forest check gate at Mukroh.
The chief minister however said, “We are not able to take up this entire matter as shifting of the gate is also within the mandate of the inquiry commission. Inquiry by the commission is going on right now. Therefore, let the investigation be completed.”
Earlier, VPP chief and Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has expressed concern on the safety and security of the people living along the border and said there is constant fear in their minds and wondered if it was due to “soft approach” of the state government that has embolden the counterparts to the extent of claiming that Mukroh falls under their jurisdiction.
On this, chief minister said in the past 50 years, it was witnessed that there have been incidents taking place in the border areas and ‘this definitely stems from the border issue and the differences that we have and the fact that border resolution has not been reached’.
According to him, due to this, tensions have been build up from both sides and finally lead to different incidents.
“That is why the MDA-I government was keen to resolve the border issue…that is why we are firmed and (signed) the MoU. Therefore, we are working towards ensuring that we move forward and are able to resolve the remaining six areas of difference,” Sangma assured.