Crucial Talks: West Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong Officials to Address Border Security on February 14
Guwahati, Feb 11: As tensions rise in the disputed border areas between Assam and Meghalaya, the district administrations of West Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong are set to hold a crucial video conference on February 14. The primary aim is to maintain peace and security in Block I, especially ahead of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections scheduled for February 21. Concerns have been heightened following the Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum’s call for increased security measures in the run-up to the elections.
A contentious issue remains the territorial status of Labang Nongphyllut, where residents prefer Meghalaya’s jurisdiction and have voiced their opposition to Assam’s development projects. The Jaintia Students Movement highlighted tensions as a Karbi group opposes election campaigning in the Barato-Mukroh constituency, advocating for collaboration between the Karbi and Jaintia communities to ensure peace.
Tensions flared when the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) banned campaign activities for Meghalaya candidates in West Karbi Anglong, following NPP candidate Aiborlang Shadap’s campaign in the area. The KSA’s opposition stems from concerns over political activities from Meghalaya in what they claim as Assam territory. Moreover, Congress candidate Banikas Laban faced challenges when blocked by Karbi villagers while traveling for her campaign.
The recently adjusted delimitation of constituencies for the JHADC elections, which affected areas like Mowlber and Psiar, has only added to the complexity, as candidates are now required to traverse Karbi villages. The border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya is fraught with a history of violence, notably the tragic incident in November 2022 near Mukroh village, where six lives were lost, aggravating the already tense situation. The upcoming discussions aim to address these deep-seated issues and ensure elections proceed smoothly without impacting voter turnout.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/jhadc-polls-west-jaintia-hills-karbi-anglong-officials-to-discuss-border-security-on-feb-14-1567771
Category : North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-02-11 16:23:00
