Shillong, Sept 23: The state government is examining demand for permanent police set-up at Maikhuli along Meghalaya-Assam border in order to allay apprehension among the border residents.
The locals have sought permanent police presence and the demand has been taken up, Cabinet Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun said on Tuesday.
Sohtun, who visited Maikhuli on Sunday following forced closure of a gate leading to Madan by Assam-based groups, said he took up the demand for police presence with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
The minister clarified that Madan falls under Maikhuli village and accused the groups of attempting forcible encroachment.
Ri-Bhoi deputy commissioner and superintendent of police already visited the spot to assess measures to be taken for setting up the police post, Sohtun said.
Expressed concern over the “fear” prevailing among the border residents, he said, “Yesterday I went to assess the situation… who came to threaten and show force in that place… the Rangbah Shnongs expressed that there is fear.”
The minister said the government wants border residents to live with peace and without any intimidation.
He lauded the joint effort by Maikhuli residents and Ri-Bhoi district authorities in thwarting the attempt of “encroachment” from Assam side.
Making it clear that not all such incidents take place due to boundary dispute, he said, “Sometimes there are people who want to take advantage of the situation.”
As a local MLA, he said, police presence should be further strengthened in the region to ensure that the border residents live in peace.
On second phase border talks, he said he would take up the matter with the regional committee for expediting the next level of dialogue on the issue.
