Khasi headmen want the return of only 18 villages from Block-II to Meghalaya and appealed to Assam Govt to have a big heart

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 9, 2022

Though, the Block-II areas comprised of 213 villages covering a total areas of 384 square miles but now the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area Raid Nongtung a conglomeration of headmen of Khasi villages in Block-II are seeking for the return of only 18 villages from Assam to Meghalaya so that they can live peacefully and flourish.

This was stated by the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area in a memorandum to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma by their President B Sohtun during a meeting held at Main Secretariat Shillong.

The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area comprised of 18 Khasi villages under Raid Nongtung within the traditional administration of Hima Khyrim and these 18 Khasi villages unfortunately fall under Block-II along Ri Bhoi District. These 18 Villages are namely Sabuda, Jatalong, Madan Umwang, Khlieh Umwang, Umlaper, Laru, Umtlieh, Ummat, Umru, Umshangktad, Pdengtliej, Umhi, Itpatung, Umsder, Umtyrshing, Umsaw Lumdorbar, Mawsladieng and Umsohlaper.

The memorandum read that the total population of Khasi in these 18 Khasi villagers are over 9000 and have been living in these villages since time immemorial while there are also around 5000 Nepali people inhabited these villages but most of them have only recently migrated to these villages either from Nepal or Darjeeling.

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There are 5000 numbers of Khasi voters under Mawhati Assembly Constituency and more are on the pipeline of enrolling themselves. The village-wise list with approximate numbers of population of Khasi, Karbi and Nepali people and number of voters registered under Meghalaya is enclosed herewith for favour of your kind ready reference.

“We, the Khasi people of the 18 villages are not demanding anything against the Constitution of India or against our beloved nation India and therefore humbly appeal to the Government of India, the Government of Assam and the Government to kindly resolve our long pending issue and rightfully return us to the State of Meghalaya,” the memorandum read.

“We plead with the Government of Assam to have a big heart as we are not demanding the entire Block-II area but merely 18 numbers of Khasi villages and let us be under the State of Meghalaya where we can flourish and live peacefully,” the memorandum said.