Many meetings, no resolution on boundary

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 21: In spite of several rounds of meetings, the age-old inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam remains unresolved, the State Assembly was informed today.

“For the last so many years, we have had around 21 meetings and still we were not able to solve the problem,” Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo informed while replying to a motion moved by HSPDP MLA P Pangniang.

He said the chief ministers of the two states – Assam and Meghalaya – have met at least 19 times since September 1, 1971 until June 5, 2010 to discuss the issue.

Besides, he said the chief secretaries have met 9 times from June 3, 1992 to May 4, 2012 and the meetings of the nodal officers were held three times from October 20, 2012 to May 30, 2014.

Stating that boundary dispute with Assam is a very old issue, Laloo said that the state government is very much alive with this problem and have already submitted documents on the 12 areas of difference with all historical claims.

Informing that a resolution for constitution of a Boundary Commission by the Centre was also passed in the House on March 16, 2011, he, however, said that the state government was yet to receive any intimation from the Centre on this.

“But the most important thing is we stick to the areas of differences which has formed the basis of our discussion with Assam,” he said adding “We will continue to discuss with our counterpart in Assam and we stand by our justification.”

He also expressed optimism that the Assam government will respond to the submissions given through engagements under the present leadership.

“The state government will continue to fight for the right and justice of the people especially those residing in the border areas, am sure that one fine day we will see that these areas will come back to us,” Laloo added.

Referring to the all party meeting called by the chief minister Mukul Sangma, he said the intention (of the meeting) is to get back all these areas.

Earlier, while participating in discussion on the motion, veteran Congress legislator Rowell Lyngdoh urged the state government to also pursue with Assam for returning back the villages under Block I & II to Meghalaya.

According to the former deputy chief minister, these villages were transferred to the then Government of Assam for creation of the two districts – Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills in 1951.

Appreciating the steps taken by the state government, he suggested the need to take a stand to administer villages inhabited by the Khasi and Pnar people in order to draw the attention of the Assam government to settle this issue.

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