Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has asked the police to investigate the Malang-Salbari incident, after a video of the Assam Police personnel resorting to lathi-charge on the residents of Malang Huhapra village in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills District went viral.
Sangma said he had also discussed the matter with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday.
Speaking on the assault of the villagers of Malang-Salbari, Sangma said “We have asked our police to investigate the issue. Last evening, I discussed with the chief minister of Assam, and he assured me that such incidents would not happen again. He also assured me that necessary instructions will be given to the SP and the police of the district to ensure that such kinds of situations do not happen in future,”
The chief minister stressed the need to handle such incidents with utmost care and restraint, considering the ongoing border talks with Assam. “We need to ensure that whatever the situation may be, we need to handle with care, and we need to show restraint,” Sangma added.
Sangma said that he had asked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take necessary action on the matter.
Sangma ruled out any review of the memorandum of understanding on six of the 12 disputed sectors on the boundary with Assam. “I have said it again and again that the review is not going to happen after the agreement. We have gone ahead with this agreement,” said Sangma. He said the confusion prevails because 13 villages were either part of Assam or Meghalaya, and their names did not appear on the list for discussion as they had no disputes.
Concerning the talks for the second phase of the boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, the chief minister said he had been in touch with Assam chief minister.
“We have not been able to find the time and so many issues are there that need to be discussed and I think Assam also has some elections coming up. Once all these are over, I hope that very soon we’ll be able to initiate the discussion for the second phase of the border dispute,” said Sangma.
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