Displaced Khasi-Pnars leaving Meghalaya

SHILLONG, Dec 1: Over 4000 people of Khasi-Pnars tribe, sheltering in relief camps for over three weeks in the Jaintia Hills district after fleeing their homes in Assam?s Karbi Anglong district following threats by militants, have started returning today, reports PTI. ?We have arranged transportation to help the Khasi-Pnars? return to their homes. They should leave today,? Jaintia Hills district Deputy Commissioner L Kharkongor told PTI over phone. The Khasi-Pnars, who had been put up in camps at Sahsniang village of Jaintia Hills district, agreed to return to their homes in Block I and Block II of Karbi Anglong district after Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang and Home Minister Robert G Lyngdoh, besides Assam Health Minister Bhumidhar Burman and Minister of State RS Ronghang, met them on November 26 and assured them of their security. They also assured deployment of Central forces in the two blocks to prevent Karbi militants from harassing them. The Lapang government maintained the two blocks in Karbi Anglong fell under Assam since 1951 and negotiations were on to ?retransfer? the areas to Meghalaya as majority of the people residing there belonged to Khasi-Pnars tribes.