Nepalese Given Quit Notice in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 17 : Even as both Meghalaya and Assam governments are trying to cool down the border tension at Langpih, the firing incident has triggered communal tension in Meghalaya.

Various tribal Khasi and Pnar organizations based in the Eastern part of Meghalaya issued a quit notice to Nepalese settlers to protest against the killing of Khasi villagers and injured several others.

On Friday, four people were killed and several others injured in the firing by Assam Police personnel at the disputed Langpih village on the Meghalaya-Assam border. The firing began after a clash between Nepalese nationals with tribal Khasis and Garos at a weekly market.

“We have asked all Nepalese settlers to quit Jaintia Hills district within one week starting from 0500 hours tomorrow in protest against the killing of four Khasi villagers at the behest of the Nepalese settlers there,” DL Rymbai, President of the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), one of the seven organisations, which issued the quit notice said.

Earlier, a unit of the powerful Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), issued a 24-hour quit notice to Nepalese settlers residing in Malki area.

However, a government statement issued here claimed that the KSU has “called-off” the ultimatum served on the Nepalese residents.

“The quit notice issued by the KSU Malki circle stands,” KSU President Samuel B Jyrwa said.

“We are not going to spell out what course of action we would take once the deadline expires. But something is going to happen and we shall throw them out,” Rymbai warned.

There is a sizeable Nepalese population in certain pockets of Meghalaya and most of them working in the coalfields.

Meanwhile, Security was tightened across Meghalaya after the police firing at Langpih and following the announcements of the social organisations. ‘’We have put our men on alert and assessing the situation and vulnerable areas are on proper guard and our forces have been re-positioned in the entire state.’’ Director General of Police, Meghalaya, S B Kakati said.

HNLC bandh
The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militant outfit Sunday announced a 12-hour bandh in Meghalaya on May 20 to protest the death of four people in a police firing.

In an e-mailed statement, HNLC spokesman, Sainkupar Nongtraw condemned the firing by Assam police personnel on Khasi villagers at Langpih on May 14, killing four people and injuring several others.

The organizations have called for 24-hour bandh on May 18 from 5 am onwards, while the UDP, an ally in the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government called for a 12-hour statewide bandh on May 20 from 5 am to 5 pm.