CM-level border talks soon

SHILLONG, JUL 9: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said the border talks between Assam and Meghalaya will be held very soon.

“Officially very soon we (CMs of both the states) will be meeting,” Sangma told reporters during a weekly press briefing.

The Chief Minister however said unofficially, a lot of work is being done to find an amicable solution to this long pending issue, which has been affecting the people of the state especially those residing along the border.

He also claimed that almost 80 percent of his time was spent on discussion about the border issues.

On the wishes of the Centre for resolving boundary disputes among the NE states before the 75^th year of India’s Independence, Sangma said that he feels it is very fair on the part of the Centre to make such an appeal since even after 75 years, states are still fighting for their borders and it is reflecting too well for the state and the country.

Stating that the solution is not very simple but it is complicated, the CM however said, “For 50 years we could not find it but with the new leadership coming in Assam and with the kind of political environment we have in the NE specially the different understanding we have at the CM’s level, we are able to discuss this matter in a much more detail manner compared to what it was before.”

“We could look at discussion and this could be a good time to take discussion forward if we could take all stakeholders on board, we will have a big consultation and try to discuss as many people as possible so that everybody’s voice is heard and try to see if we can actually work it out,” he added.

Expressing optimism that a solution can be arrived at to end the dispute, Sangma said, “I feel we can find a solution if we put our hearts and minds together, but it is not easy.

I am a person who is positive, who believes in trying, who believes that people deserve it. This government is committed to it and we are trying our best…”

On the suggestion for adopting a give and take policy, the CM however refused to comment by saying “Let us not go into the details of this…allow us to do more homework…”

By Our Reporter