Staff reporter
DIPHU, Sep 13: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today officially inaugurated the Shillong Karbi Hemtun in the grand opening ceremony held at Shillong.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was present in the inauguration programme. Speaking on the occasion, he congratulated the KAAC on the opening of the building. He praised KAAC CEM for his constant supervision of the construction works.
Speaking about the border issues, CM Conrad Sangma said that all problems must be resolved through peaceful negotiations. “At times, people may resort to violence means, but that is not the solution. All matters should be discussed and sorted peacefully,” he said.
“We have many things in common, especially our culture and traditions. This commonness must keep us together in the future as well. Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Meghalaya govt. must work together,” he concluded.
The chief guest of the event Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that most of the areas of dispute in the Assam-Meghalaya border have been solved through amicable discussion and the discussion on the remaining sites will come to an end very soon.
“Karbi Anglong and Meghalaya have shared a very strong relationship from the past. The construction of this Bhawan has strengthened the bond,” the Assam CM said.
He also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeastern part of India had seen tremendous development. “There is peace in North-East, there is no more violence, people from all over the country come here without fear. The prevalence of peace had paved the way for the lifting of AFSPA from the region,” he added.
Among the guests present at the inauguration programme were MP Horensing Bey, Assam legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr. Numal Momin, KAAC chairman Raju Tisso, Deputy chairman Ajit Kr. Dey, MLA Bidyasing Ingleng, MLA Rupsing Teron, MLA Dorsing Ronghang, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council CEM Pyniaidsing Syiem, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council CEM T. Shiwat, Garo Hills Autonomous District Council CEM Albinush Raksham Marak, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council member Pradyot Bikram Kishore Debbarman, all KAAC EMs, MACs, former MLAs, leaders of leading organisations like KLA, KCS, KSA and others.
It may be mentioned that the land for the construction of this Karbi Hemtun was bought during the ASDC regime when Jotson Bey was serving as the CEM. Later, during the Congress period, the then CEM Khorsing Ingti laid the foundation stone for construction of the Hemtun. Finally, during the BJP’s time at the KAAC, under the leadership and supervision of the present CEM Dr. Tuliram Ronghang, the construction began in 2020, and has now been formally inaugurated.
Earlier, the Assam CM along with KAAC CEM and others laid the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a 100-bedded Karbi Students Hostel cum Commercial Building in the capital city of Meghalaya.