JSM serves ultimatum to West Jaintia Hills District Admin over Entry Tax Gate in Khanduli

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 30, 2023

The Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM) on Friday issued a one-week ultimatum to the West Jaintia Hills District Administration, demanding the removal of the Entry Tax Gate in Khanduli. JSM has threatened to resort to agitation If the gate, which was set up by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), is not removed by July 10.

In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills District, Batlang S Sohliya, the JSM stated that the jurisdiction of the district extends only till Zero Point and bordered the West Jaintia Hills District under Namdong C&RD Block and Nartiang Police Station. The JSM claims that no developmental works have been carried out by the Government of Meghalaya beyond Zero Point, according to the information collected by them.

On April 15, 2023, the KAAC established the Entry Tax Gate in Moosakia, Khanduli, within the West Jaintia Hills District. The JSM emphasized that Khanduli falls under the Namdong C&RD Block of the West Jaintia Hills District and also comes under the jurisdiction of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council. The Dorbar Shnong Khanduli, along with various social organizations, including the JSM, strongly opposed the establishment of the Entry Tax Gate by the KAAC in Khanduli.

The JSM also acknowledged that Khanduli is a disputed area between Assam and Meghalaya. However, they stated that currently, Khanduli is under the physical occupation of Meghalaya. The JSM criticized the KAAC for intruding into the territory of Meghalaya in Khanduli, which is approximately ten kilometers away from Zero Point.

The JSM expressed its concern that the West Jaintia Hills District Administration perceives the intrusion of the KAAC as merely an intrusion into Khanduli village, rather than an intrusion into the physical territory of Meghalaya. They highlighted that several Pnar villages in the disputed area of Block-I, which fall under the physical occupation of Assam beyond Zero Point, have not received any developmental schemes from the Government of Meghalaya or the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council to date.