SHILLONG : The Meghalaya Government will take up with Assam the alleged attempt to pressure villagers in Langpih, West Khasi Hills, to participate in a census exercise being conducted by Assam officials.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday said he has directed the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya to raise the matter with his Assam counterpart.
The assurance came after a delegation met the Deputy Chief Minister and alleged that villagers in Langpih were being pressured to enrol in the census being conducted by Assam.
“I have already asked our Chief Secretary to take it up with the Chief Secretary of Assam as is usually done. If the issue is beyond the control of the two senior officers, then we will step in,” Tynsong said.
He said the matter could be escalated to higher levels if the issue remains unresolved.
“If required, it will be taken up at the Minister-to-Minister level and then at the Chief Minister-to-Chief Minister level. I understand the problem faced by our people in Langpih,” he added.
Demand for Temporary Police Camp
The delegation also urged the Meghalaya Government to establish a temporary police camp or outpost in Langpih to strengthen the security of residents.
Responding to the demand, Tynsong said the government would examine the proposal.
“We will examine it. We already have two Border Outposts — one at Langpih and another a little beyond. I have asked both the Chief Secretary and the DGP to look into it,” he said.
The government is expected to assess the security situation in the area while efforts continue to address the census-related concerns through official channels between Meghalaya and Assam.