Meghalaya, Assam to resolve 6 areas of difference within 30 days

The decision was taken at the second round of border talks held between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at Guwahati.

The first round of talks was held at Shillong on July 23.

Addressing media persons after the meeting, Conrad K Sangma informed that both the governments are very clear that they want to resolve the areas of difference and the disputes that are there between the two states.

“Therefore, there is a strong political will to find an amicable solution to these areas of differences,” he said.

He said during the meeting, a detailed presentation was given by the Assam government on 6 of the 12 areas of difference.

After discussion, Conrad said both the state governments have agreed to resolve the long pending boundary dispute in a phase wise manner.

“Therefore, we have decided to move towards finding amicable solutions to the 6 out of 12 areas of difference,” he informed.

The six areas of difference include Tarabari (4.69 sq km), Gizang (13.53 sq km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Boklapara (1.57 sq kms), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq kms) and Ratacherra (11.20 sq kms).

“We have also decided that we will focus on historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, willingness and the overall sense of the people’s sentiments and contiguity (for resolving the disputes),” added the Chief Minister.

Conrad said the regional committees headed by cabinet ministers from both the states have been asked to submit their reports and their findings after making joint visits to the different areas and locations within 30 days.

“Within this 30 days, the Chief Minister of Assam and myself will also be making some visits to some of the areas of difference in order to give a positive message to the people and to show our keenness and willingness to move forward to finding a solution to this very important and long pending difference and dispute that the two states have,” he said.

“I am very positive that with the right political will and respect for each other and ensuring that the reality of today’s world is also taken into consideration we will be able to find solutions to these difficult situations that we are facing,” he further added.

Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma said after threadbare discussion both in Shillong and Guwahati, both the states found that it will be good to start finding solutions for six locations.

He said the six areas of difference fall under Cachar district, Kamrup metro and Kamrup district from Assam side and in West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills from Meghalaya side.

Sarma said the regional committees to be headed by cabinet ministers from Assam and Meghalaya will also include bureaucrats and local representatives.

There will be six regional committees of which three from Assam and three from Meghalaya.

“We have decided that from both sides, committees will be constituted with five members. They will complete their discussion within a period of 30 days because after the presentation from both sides, we realized that these may not be very complex matters so as such there will be a presentation or there will be deliberation in the regional committees,”he said.

The Assam CM said that the regional committees will give their recommendations on what should be done and what should not be done when both states meet again either in Shillong or Guwahati.

“Of course as the committees will be headed by cabinet ministers from both sides, the differences will be narrowed down during the committee meeting itself so that our meeting will only become a kind of or our job will only be kind of authenticate what will definitely be arrived between the two sides in the regional committees set up itself,” he said.

“If the differences still exist between the regional committees then of course the matter will be taken up at the level of the Chief Ministers or at the level of a higher forum. Once these six disputes are resolved, gradually we will move to the other six places,” he added.

Sarma further informed that as a message of goodwill he along with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya has also decided to visit Langpih.

“…so that the people can actually feel assured that we are going to resolve the complicated issues. Also it is not that we are not going to resolve the complicated issues but will start from less complicated issues and will move towards more complicated issues,” he stated.

By Our Reporter