Shillong: Over a year has passed since the tragic Mukroh killing in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills District, yet farmers in the region continue to encounter challenges when accessing their farms.
UDP MLA Nujorki Sungoh from Mowkaiaw constituency appealed to the State government on Tuesday to dismantle all Assam government check gates in Mukroh, citing alleged illegal tax collection from impoverished farmers.
He linked the forest check gate, located a few kilometers from Mukroh, to the incident that resulted in the Mukroh shooting, which claimed the lives of six individuals in November 2022, including five Mukroh farmers and one Assam forest guard.
Participating in a motion addressing border dispute-related issues, Sungoh highlighted ongoing challenges faced by Mukroh residents, emphasising the detrimental impact of illegal taxation by Assam government and Karbi Anglong District Council officials.
Sungoh stressed the urgency of removing the check gates, as they hinder farmers’ access to their paddy fields, located beyond the gates. He lamented the heavy taxation imposed on villagers transporting agricultural produce.
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Given the poverty prevalent in Mukroh, Sungoh underscored the need for infrastructural development and educational facilities. He revealed the absence of a secondary school in the bordering village, contributing to student dropouts.
While acknowledging the assistance provided to Mukroh shooting victims, Sungoh urged for further support, particularly for widows left as sole providers for their families.
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