SHILLONG, APR 18: Meghalaya government on Wednesday claimed that documents on its claims over the areas of differences with regards to the boundary dispute with Assam can pave the way for adjudication before the judiciary, if the situation warrants.
Replying to a resolution moved by KHNAM MLA Adelbert Nongrum in the Assembly, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said that the state government has been able to buttress its claims by presenting supporting documents.
“These documents and maps, amongst others, have been shared with the Assam government. These documents are of ample evidentiary value and could eventually pave the way for adjudication before the Judiciary, if the situation, so warrants,” he said.
The twelve areas of differences which include Upper Tarabari, Gizang Reserve Forest, Hahim area, Langpih area, Bordwar area, Nongwah Mawtamur area, Pilangkata Khanapara area, Deshdemoria area, Khanduli area, Umkhyrni Psiar area, Areas of Block I&II and Ratacherra area.
Ever since Meghalaya got its statehood in 1972, the inter-state boundary between Assam and Meghalaya as defined by the North Eastern Area (Re-Organization) Act, 1971 has been a bone of contention between the two states, he said.
He said series of meetings were held at the level of chief ministers and chief secretaries of the two states with a view to finding an amicable solution to this vexed problem through bilateral talks, to identify the areas of differences and to suggest measures to resolve the differences.
Lamenting that a long term solution has not emerged so far, Conrad said, “Four decades have passed since the re-organization of the two states, and all these steps taken by the two governments have not been able to resolve the contentious issues.”
Assuring that the government will vigorously pursue the matter through continuous engagement with the Assam government, he said, “I would reiterate with all the emphasis at my command that this government will continue to take all possible measures in order to arrive at a final and logical solution to the issue.”
Informing that a meeting to the chief ministers of Meghalaya and Assam was held on April 1, last year at Guwahati, he said both the CMs of the two states have reaffirmed their commitment to preserve the cordial age-old ties that exist between the two states and resolve to work for the development and prosperity of the region.
It was also mutually agreed upon that the Assam chief secretary and Meghalaya chief secretary will hold regular meetings as and when required to discuss and resolve the border dispute between the two states while the deputy commissioners of bordering districts would also meet regularly to settle problems at local level, he added.
Earlier, the chief secretary of Meghalaya had written to the chief secretary of Assam on May 9, 2017 requesting for a mutually convenient date to hold a meeting of the Joint Committee of both states.
However in response, a request was received from Assam government to suggest a convenient date for the meeting which subsequently the Meghalaya government suggested any date between September 19 to 22, last year.
Again, Assam government informed that the date suggested by Meghalaya was not convenient and hence has requested for a fresh set of date.
“A fresh date that is any date from November 13, 2017 onwards was suggested to the Assam government on November 3, 2017. Since response from the Assam side is yet to be received, a reminder requesting them to indicate a mutually convenient date was sent on December 4, 2017. Response from the Assam side is awaited,” Conrad said.
On this account, the chief minister said it can be seen that the state government has been taking all possible steps to resolve the boundary dispute and to provide redress to the immense hardship and economic dislocation faced by the people in the affected areas.
Earlier while moving the resolution, KHNAM MLA Adelbert Nongrum said that he no longer believes in debate and discussion as he urged the state government to take the issue for resolving the long pending boundary dispute as top priority.
Expressing concern that the issue has been politicized during election time, he however asked the state government to take note on assurance of the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while releasing the BJP’s vision document before the just concluded Assembly elections.
“The state government should take note on this as she (Nirmala) had promised to resolve the border dispute by taking on board the Centre and the BJP government in Assam,” he said.
He also suggested the need to take into consideration the stakeholders including senior citizens residing along the border, dorbar shnong, dorbar raid and the KHADC by including them in a consultative committee for resolving the border dispute.
Nongrum further urged the government to start development programmes near the edge of the disputed areas to prevent illegal encroachment by Assam government.
On the concern expressed by the MLA with regards to boundary commission, chief minister informed that the Meghalaya Assembly had passed a resolution on March 16, 2011 to the effect that the government of India may be requested to constitute a boundary commission to define the inter-state boundary between the two states.
However, the Assam Assembly also passed a resolution opposing the setting up of a boundary commission, he said.
As no feedback was received from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the resolution passed by state government, he said that the matter was taken with the Union Home Minister, requesting him to intervene in the matter and to constitute the boundary commission on priority.
He said the Union Home Minister had convened a meeting of the two chief ministers where it was agreed that the ongoing dialogue at the chief secretary level should be carried forward expeditiously and nodal officers should be designated by both the states to assist the chief secretaries.
By Our Reporter
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