Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday instructed the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong district to start immediate eviction of illegal encroachers from the three villages inhabited by Khasi community.
This comes in response to a memorandum submitted by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) for protection of Khasi community living in Manipur at Tamenglong-Jiribam border.
The memorandum called for ensuring that the indigenous Khasis are free from any form of threat or intimidation from all quarters and to officially put a total and immediate halt to all attempted encroachment by non-residents and others in Khasi-inhabited areas.
The memorandum also called for conducting an eviction drive against illegal settlers and constructions present in all Khasi villages and to provide adequate security to all Khasi inhabitants of the region.
Secretary general of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), Sinam Prakash on Saturday told media persons at the head office of All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) located at DM University campus that an issue on illegal encroachment came to the NESO about three Khasi-inhabited villages of Manipur located at the border area of Tamenglong and Jiribam.
In connection with the issue, a joint meeting was conducted along with the representatives of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), AMSU under the banner of NESO at Manipur University on Friday, Prakash informed.
For the protection of the Khasi people who have been living in the state since 1939-1940 as per British record, an 18-member team of KSU, including KSU, Barak Valley Circle, Assam; KSU West Jantia Hills District Unit; East Jantiya Hills District Uni; KSU Central Executive Council, along with representatives of AMSU and NESO met Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his office on Friday, he added.
During the meeting, the representatives of KSU placed the present scenario that is being faced by the Khasi community at the three villages namely, Khedagar Khasi, Kamrangha Khasi and Abampunji Khasi. In the villages, some illegal residents from Jiribam have started encroaching on Khasi lands in Khedagar village, said Prakash.
He appreciated Biren for taking immediate action and for instructing DC Tamenglong to start eviction drive immediately and to protect Khasi people of the area.
General secretary of KSU, Central Executive Council, Donald V Thabha said the Khasi inhabitants of Manipur have been settling since 1939-1940 as per record of the British. He said at present, the Khasi population in Manipur stands at more than 1,000 with more than 30 households.
The Khasis in Manipur have been living peacefully until recent years when nearby residents from Jiribam started encroaching on their lands in Khedagar village. Under the threat of losing their rightful land from the massive influx of outsiders, the representatives of Khedagar Khasi village had sent numerous petitions to the concerned authorities to look into the matter and expedite necessary action.
However, till date no justice had been delivered to the indigenous Khasi settlers of Manipur, Donald said.
Like the Manipuris are the guardians of Khasi community in Manipur, Khasi people are the guardians of Meitei community in Meghalaya who are a minority, he added. He appreciated Biren for immediate action for safeguarding Khasi inhabitants in Manipur.
