SHILLONG, AUG 4: The second round of border talks between the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya Himanta Biswa Sarma and Conrad K Sangma for resolving the long pending boundary dispute will be held on August 6.
Cabinet ministers from both the states will also attend the meeting to be held at Vivanta Taj Hotel at Guwahati at 10.30 am.
Ahead of this meeting, Meghalaya government had constituted regional committees on boundary to conduct inspection of the 12 areas of difference.
One of the regional committees headed by PHE Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on Wednesday visited four areas of difference in West Khasi Hills region which include Tarabari (4.69 sq km), Gizang (13.53 sq km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Langpih (289.07 sq kms).
The areas of difference in other districts are Borduar (147.83 sq kms), Boklapara (1.57 sq kms), Nongwah-Mawtamur (137.57 sq kms), Khanapara-Pillangkata (2.29 sq kms), Block I&II (1547.42 sq kms), Khanduli-Psiar (76.80 sq kms) and Ratacherra (11.20 sq kms).
When asked, Minister in-charge Revenue department Kyrmen Shylla said that the upcoming meeting between the Chief Ministers of the two states will be a peace finding meeting to resolve the boundary issue once and for all.
“This is because we have seen that peace and tranquility is no longer there in border areas as people from both sides are insecure. I hope through understanding between the two states we can arrive at a decision on how to ensure peace and tranquility in the border area. I hope this meeting will be in the interest of the people of our state,”he said.
The minister further informed that not only the revenue department but the government as a whole is working as a team on this issue.
“Government is preparing to give a presentation. We also have committees to look at the different areas of difference. Hopefully we can put forth our documents to strengthen our claims over the 12 areas of difference and we will wait for the outcome of the meeting and I hope it will be a fruitful one,” he said.
On the demand for free land registration, Shylla however said that the state government is yet to take any decision in this regard.
He said such areas are being looked after by the deputy commissioner so the deputy commissioner will decide on the rate for land registration in his/her district adding for this issue of land registration, the government has to take a collective decision.
“Of course we want but how far can we implement it since the state still needs to generate more revenue… (However), if the boundary dispute is resolved, free registration will not arise and people will have to register their land as per law,” the minister added.
By Our Reporter
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