Residents of the Jaintia Hills region near the Shillong border found themselves embroiled in a heated meeting at Khanduli over the demand for the removal of the entry tax gate. The gathering, held on Saturday, brought together residents from different areas along the interstate border to address the contentious issue that has been causing tension in the region.

Chandame Sungoh, the chairman of the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF), expressed the community’s sentiments during the meeting. “At the gathering, we urged the government to take necessary measures to establish peace and harmony in the region,” he stated passionately. However, their appeals seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, as the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) appeared unwilling to budge on the matter of removing the entry tax gate.

Amid the discussions, a significant decision emerged from the Pnar border residents. They collectively expressed their wish to be part of Meghalaya. This unanimous desire sends a strong message to the regional authorities, highlighting the deep-rooted attachment of the residents to their state and their determination to remain united within its borders.

Meanwhile, unsettling reports emerged of alleged miscreants attempting to cause havoc during the border meeting. Specifically, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) confronted these wrongdoers, preventing them from kidnapping two cowherds and making off with 20 cattle. The incident added an atmosphere of tension and apprehension during an already charged gathering.

The situation at the Shillong border remains sensitive and calls for immediate attention from the authorities. The demand to remove the entry tax gate should be addressed with a sense of urgency and diplomacy to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region. Both the KAAC and the Meghalaya government must engage in meaningful dialogue to find a resolution that satisfies the concerns of all parties involved.

As the border residents of Jaintia Hills and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council continue to grapple with the entry tax dispute, the onus falls on the authorities to find a diplomatic and pragmatic solution. This can only be achieved through dialogue, empathy, and a genuine commitment to maintain the harmony of the region.