HITO Appeals to Amit Shah for Urgent Action on Assam-Meghalaya Border Tensions

The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to step in and address what it describes as “persistent human rights violations” stemming from the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute.

In a memorandum submitted on Monday, HITO president Donbok Dkhar emphasised the urgent need for intervention to restore peace, deliver justice, and find lasting solutions for communities impacted by the ongoing conflict.

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Dkhar highlighted that the territorial dispute, dating back to Meghalaya’s formation in 1971, has fueled recurring violence, resulting in loss of life and severe disruptions to local livelihoods. He criticised the negotiations between the two state governments as superficial, stating, “These talks have been mere stopgap measures, failing to address the root causes of the conflict.”

The HITO leader accused Assam of repeatedly encroaching on Meghalaya’s territory, particularly in regions under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, labelling these actions as clear violations of regional agreements. He specifically pointed to recent incidents where the Assam government allegedly used members of the Karbi tribe to block Meghalaya farmers from harvesting their paddy crops, calling it a “flagrant breach of human rights” that has deepened economic hardship for vulnerable farming communities.

Despite assurances from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmato curb aggressive actions, Dkhar claimed these promises lack sincerity, citing ongoing instances of armed groups intimidating villagers. “Such tactics are illegal and undermine constitutional values. Those responsible, whether officials or law enforcement, must face accountability,” he asserted.

Dkhar also referenced past tragedies, including the 2009 Langpih massacre and the 2022 Mukroh killings, describing them as examples of “state-backed aggression” against border residents. He further argued that the Indian government has failed to honour commitments made under the Instrument of Accession and the Annexed Agreement of the Khasi States, signed over 75 years ago. This failure, he said, continues to erode the rights and autonomy of the Hynniewtrep people and their traditional leadership.