KAAC claims Myntang river in WJH falls under Assam territory

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 30, 2019

SHILLONG: Assam’s Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has allegedly encroached into Meghalaya by claiming that the River Myntang (which is known to the Karbis as Umtang) in West Jaintia Hills District falls under its jurisdiction.

This was following the inspection conducted by the KAAC led by its chief executive member Tuliram Ronghang and Lok Sabha MP Horen Sing Bey at the Kurelia bridge which was constructed by the Meghalaya government over the river Myntang on Saturday.

Ronghang and Bey who were accompanied by the members and officials of the KAAC, DC and SP of West Karbi Anglong came in several vehicles to Khatkasla village along the river Myntang amid tight security.

However, only two magistrates from West Jaintia Hills were present during the inspection by the Assam team. Though the district magistrates tried to prevent but they were helpless when the team maintained that the KAAC chief has decided to inspect the border areas.

The magistrates told the Assam team that they cannot conduct the inspection since the areas are under dispute between the two states but the officials of the KAAC claimed that the area was under the Council’s jurisdiction and that they have every right to conduct the inspection.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the inspection, Ronghang said, “The river Myntang falls under the Assam territory as per the 1951 notification and is the natural boundary of Assam.”

“We will not let even an inch of our land to go to Meghalaya which is illegally encroaching into Assam territory,” he said.

The members of the Khasi Students Union who also came to the site have expressed concern over the claims made by the KAAC leader.

KSU leader from Jaintia Hills Nangaibormi Sutnga said that the state government should stop giving lip service and start acting to ensure safety and security to the Khasi-Pnar people residing at the border and their lands.