SHILLONG, March 22 (NNN): Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma informed on Wednesday that the second round of border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference with Assam will be held next month.
Sangma told the Assembly that the regional committees have been reconstituted three days ago.
The two deputy chief ministers – Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar – will head the regional committees for Ri Bhoi district and West Jaintia Hills district respectively while cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh will be the chairman of the regional committee for West Khasi Hills district.
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“In April, we will initiate the first round of talks,” the chief minister said while replying to a special motion moved by opposition Congress legislator Charles Marngar on the need to discuss the second phase of interstate boundary settlement and the need of reviewing the MoU signed between the two chief ministers.
He also said that the government will ask the regional committees to have a detailed discussion with all stakeholders to really understand the points and concerns of the people living in the border areas.
“We will have a deep consultation and we will take all stakeholders (including autonomous district councils, different heads and others) into confidence before we decide on how to move forward on this,” Sangma assured.
Stating that the issue is indeed a very complex situation, Sangma said, “It is not going to be easy for us to find a solution acceptable to all but I appeal to the members of the House to let us keep the larger picture in mind. If we go with a negative mindset that we will not move an inch and not agree to anything said by the other side then we will not be able to solve the issue. We must go with open minds sticking to our demands and not compromise the interest of the people.”
He further asserted that negotiation can never be from a point of position and said, “It is not a deal. We are not trying to deal as we are here to find a solution. The approach has to be thought of very well. I can assure the House that we are not going to rush and we are not going to compromise but we should ensure we are consistent in our approach keeping the larger interest of the people.”
“While we work to find solutions, we also assure that we will ensure sufficient manpower of our forces are present in the areas of difference so that the safety level of our people is maintained,” he also assured.
While supporting the special motion, Voice of the People Party legislator from Nongkrem Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit cited the rules and questioned if the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Meghalaya chief minister and Assam chief minister will stand in the Court of law.
He also said that it was a fit case for the government of the day to review and relook into the MoU. “I don’t think we will allow the government to take us for a ride. How can we allow more than 18 sq km of land to be given to Assam. We are on the losing side as I said anything done in haste will end up in waste,” Basaiawmoit said.
He also slammed the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government for claiming that it is the only government which has done marvellous work as far as boundary issue is concerned and said, “It is not fair because we must also give credit to the previous governments which have done diligent works and place the documents (before) Assam.”
In his reply, the chief minister said that it would be incorrect for the VPP leader to say that the MDA government is making claims and not giving credit to the past governments and their contributions towards the border issue.
He reminded and said, “I (have always) started my speech by thanking the governments and contributions made by the past governments and former chief ministers towards the border issue.”
Sangma however said many times the governments would have meetings and discussions but there was no concrete conclusion for ending the boundary dispute as it always ends with “we will maintain a status quo”.
“It is not an easy task (as the issue) requires a political will and the MDA government had that political will to take the talks to the next level,” he said.
He said 32 meetings were held between the two states since 1971 and of these 10 meetings were held at the chief ministers’ level in the past five years from 2018 to 2022. This led to the signing of the MoU which resolved the first six areas of difference shared between the two states.
Further, the chief minister also maintained that the MDA government is clear that it will go ahead with the MoU and said, “Overall it was a huge milestone”.
“This is the MoU (signed) at the highest level and in presence of the union home minister,” he said while adding that based on this, surveys are being conducted.
Sangma also informed that based on the people’s will Tarabari (4.69 sq km), which was earlier under the administrative control of Assam was given to Meghalaya and said, “Assam government had also pulled out teachers it appointed and now Meghalaya is in the process of appointing the teachers (there).”
He said that the MDA government had to face a lot of challenges because of the 2011 report submitted to the Assam government. The report had failed to include some of the villages.
“For example when we had gone to the West Khasi Hills sector to discuss the public hearing that had to take place. At that point in time, 21-22 villages were there in the report but 36 villages came to the meeting and said we want to be part of Meghalaya. Because they were not included in the 2011 report it became a very big challenge for us as Assam maintained that we cannot discuss the matter as they were not in the 2011 report,” Sangma said while referring to the protests against the MoU.
