Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma Hints to Hold Second Round Border Talk with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: Following the signing of an accord addressing six area problems in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is expected to undertake a second round of border talks with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma next week.

According to sources, Sangma indicated on Wednesday that the logistics for the meeting, which is expected to take place on May 24, were being worked out.

Sangma stated that he has been in contact with Sarma regarding the clashes at the villages located in the disputed Blocks I and II of the interstate border.

However, on May 11, a conflict between two communities erupted at Khanduli hamlet in West Jaintia Hills District, along the inter-state border.

The conflict led to stone pelting, brawls, and the setting on fire of two cottages.

According to accounts, the fight started when Khanduli's Dorbar Shnong decided to stop letting Karbi people pass through the hamlet. This came about as a result of a bunch of Karbi locals intimidating the villagers into staying away from their paddy fields.

Two people from Karbi Anglong were hurt and taken for medical attention to a hospital in Hojai.

Another incident involving unknown miscreants throwing a petrol bomb at the Karbi Bhawan in the Meghalayan capital city during the night was reported along the border between Assam and Meghalaya.

Despite the fact that no injuries were recorded, the superintendent of police for Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district indicated that a probe had been launched but that no FIR had yet been filed.

On the other hand, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council established the Entry Tax Gate at Khanduli Village within the jurisdiction of Meghalaya and the Hynniewtrep Border Disputed Redressal Forum (HBDRF) leader, led by chairman Chandame Sungoh and Secretary P. Phwa, on May 15, submitted the letter to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) MA Challam, regarding the prevailing communal tension between residents of Khanduli village and the Karbi Community.

However, on April 24, during a roadside discussion at the location of the Entry Tax Gate in Khanduli, the leaders of social organizations from the Khasi Jaitia region pleaded to the SP and DC of West Karbi Anglong to remove the gate, but as of May 6, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) had not done so.

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