HT Bureau
SHILLONG, May 23: The first part of the second phase talks on inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam will be held on Wednesday.
The talks will take place at State Guest House Koinadora, Khanapara at 11 am.
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Chief minister of Meghalaya and Assam –Conrad Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma will attend the talks.
In the second phase of talks, six areas of dispute will be taken up for discussion.
These areas include Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdoomreah, Block-I & Block-II, and Khanduli-Psiar.
It may be mentioned that the other six areas of dispute – Upper Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilingkata and Ratachera were taken up in the first phase of talks between the two states.
Meanwhile, Sarma said on Tuesday in Guwahati that he and his Meghalaya counterpart would visit the disputed areas later as a goodwill gesture.
“The Meghalaya CM will come to Guwahati tomorrow and discussion will be held on finding solutions for the remaining six areas,” he said.
Assam and Meghalaya have a longstanding dispute in 12 areas along the 884.9-km-long interstate border.
The two states had signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2022 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi towards ending the disputes in six areas.
Meghalaya was carved out of Assam in 1972 and had since then challenged the Assam Reorganisation Act of 1971, which is recognised by Assam as its border.
On the progress of talks with Nagaland over oil exploration along the disputed boundary between the two states, Sarma said, “We have sent our proposal to the Nagaland government and we are now waiting for their response.
“We have not pursued the matter much as it was Nagaland who had sought our views. Now it is up to them”.
Sarma and his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio had on April 20 agreed in principle to go ahead with oil exploration in areas along their disputed boundary for the economic benefit of both states. (With agency inputs)
