AITC leaders visit Maikhuli, assure to protect the interest of indigenous people

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 29, 2022

Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Tuesday vowed to stand by the people of Maikhuli, who are strongly opposing the state government’s move to give some portion of the village to Assam.

The people of Maikhuli have opposed the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Meghalaya and Assam as some portion of the village including fisheries pond are being forcefully given to Assam.

A delegation of AITC led by Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma and Salmanpara legislator Winnerson D Sangma met the residents of Maikhuli in Ri Bhoi district during a public meeting held on Tuesday.

He also visited Barapathar areas, Mawiong, Iongkhuli villages.

Also Read | Meghalaya, Assam sign historic agreement to end 50-yr-old dispute in 6 of 12 areas of difference

After giving the people of the village a patient hearing, Sangma said, “We will move forward to protect the interest of our indigenous people and people of the state.”

“People of this area have maintained that they are not ready to share their piece of land with people of Assam. They want protection, they want help but the people in authority are not coming to bail them out,” he said.

Stating that Maikhuli village was under Schedule area even before Meghalaya got its statehood, the AITC leader said, “This was under schedule area even when it was under Assam government so that our downtrodden tribal people will not get exploited by the plain people.”

He said people residing in this village have been crying for help as people from Assam are trying to snatch away their lands.

“A footpath has been constructed under MGNREGA sanction by the Government of Meghalaya but the Assam Government destroyed it and set-up their new government office under the jurisdiction of Meghalaya, this shows the weakness of the MDA government,” Sangma added.

Slamming the MDA government for going ahead with the signing of the MoU for resolving the 6 areas of difference with Assam, the Rangsakona legislator said, “Now the apprehension is that if during this ongoing parliament session they will enact this, they are going to lose their land.”

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“(However), in the floor of the House in the just concluded budget session, the Meghalaya CM assured hearing the will of the people, whether they want to be part of Meghalaya or Assam by hearing their voice then only decision will made

But when we come to ground zero, we found that people residing in this area they are completely against the decision of parting the portion of this area with Assam and no one from government side CM or any cabinet minister have come to see what is happening in the ground zero and without looking at the ground reality they are doing the paperwork sitting in the AC rooms probably they have signed the MoU,” he said.