Assam-Meghalaya CMs hold second phase of border talks ** KAAC members to be part of new committees
HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 21: Assam and Meghalaya governments have decided to form three regional committees to solve disputes in six remaining border areas between the two states.
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The decision to this effect was taken at the CM-level meeting held here on Sunday. Both the chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma were present in the meeting.
It may be noted that following a discussion between the two governments, Meghalaya cited 12 areas of boundary disputes with Assam and accordingly meetings and discussions were held to solve six disputed sites in the first phase and leaving the remaining six for the second phase.
As a fall-out of the series of meetings and activities initiated, an MoU was signed on March 29 last in presence of Union Home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi paving the way for resolving the six disputed sites.
The committees will be headed by Cabinet ministers of each state along with members from Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council as three disputes sites out of six fall within the jurisdiction of KAAC.
It was decided that within 15 days both the governments will notify regional committees as the members of the committees after extensive visit and talking to the local people following the spirit of friendship will iron out differences to find mutually agreeable solutions amicably.
As a goodwill and confidence building measure, the chief ministers of both the states will also make visits to the disputed sites and talk to the local people.
Sarma thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah said that after resolving the six disputed boundaries in the first phase, the remaining boundary disputes will also be solved amicably under the guidance.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Sangma said that in the next 15 days regional committees will be formed to take forward the discussion on the remaining six areas of differences between Assam and Meghalaya.
He expressed his satisfaction on the signing of MoU on the six areas of difference, which were taken up in the first phase of the talks between both the states and has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home minister Amit Shah.
“Both Assam and Meghalaya had initiated the discussion in the process to resolve the border dispute that lasted between Assam and Meghalaya for over 50 years. We have taken the discussion forward and have carried out a very detailed discussion before signing of the MoU,” he said.
According to him, at present, the Survey of India in collaboration with both the States are working to demarcate the borders.
“Both the Governments are working together to ensure that the survey work completes at the earliest,” the chief minister added.
The remaining six areas of difference are – Khanduli & Psiar, Block I & Block II, Borduar, Langpih, Nongwah- Mawtamur & Desh Doomreah.
Sangma said that once the regional committees are formed site visits, public consultation and consultation with stakeholders will be initiated.
He also said that both the chief ministers will be visiting certain areas to build confidence amongst the public in the areas of differences as a goodwill gesture.
He further said that both the Governments are very serious to find a permanent and an amicable solution on the area of differences between Assam and Meghalaya.
