The office of Mukroh Pyllun Dorbar Shnong on Tuesday requested the intervention of Deputy Chief Minister (Home) Prestone Tynsong regarding an alleged intrusion by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) into the jurisdiction of Mukroh village.
In a memorandum addressed to the minister, the Dorbar Shnong stated, “On behalf of the residents of Mukroh village, we would like to bring to your attention the latest intrusion by the KAAC into the jurisdiction of Mukroh village, located under the Laskein C&RD Block and Barato Police Outpost of West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya.”
The letter further referred to a notification dated October 25, 1968, issued by the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), which defined the territorial boundaries of Mukroh Village, extending up to Elaka Labang Nongphyllut/Block-I or Moikoilum Village to the east. The Dorbar Shnong stated, “However, the state of Assam encroached on the Mukroh area several years ago and established its Forest Beat House within Mukroh’s jurisdiction.”
The memorandum highlighted that the residents of Mukroh village have traditionally depended on firewood collected from the forest areas of the village for cooking. However, due to the recent KAAC intrusion, they are now hesitant and fearful of going into the forest to gather firewood. The KAAC has reportedly prohibited the locals from collecting firewood, claiming the forest area of Mukroh as part of their jurisdiction.
Additionally, in October this year, the KAAC began cutting down trees to construct roads in Salang, Mukroh, with the intention of establishing tea plantations. The Dorbar Shnong views this as a direct act of intrusion and trespassing into Mukroh’s territory. The office has already informed the District Administration of West Jaintia Hills District regarding the illegal road construction.
The memorandum further noted that although district authorities from West Jaintia Hills visited the site and halted the construction, the contractor resumed work immediately after the magistrate left Mukroh village, showing blatant disregard for the law.
It is worth noting that Mukroh has witnessed several incidents related to the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute. In 2022, six people were killed in a firing incident, which both the Meghalaya and Assam governments later attributed to timber smuggling. The incident had significant repercussions, affecting other parts of Meghalaya, including the capital, Shillong, and disrupting interstate movement.
In a recent development, the second phase of Meghalaya-Assam border talks was scheduled in October but its prolonged delay has concerned citizens of both the states.
