Assam-Meghalaya Border Talks: Both CMs Hope to Resolve Border Issues With Mutual Trust

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma had talks on the remaining six disputed stretches of the inter-state boundary in Guwahati today.

This is the second phase of Assam- Meghalaya border talks and both CMs worked out measures to reduce tensions at several contentious points along the border.

After the meeting, both chief ministers agreed that the disputes in the six stretches of the boundary are a bit complicated, and hence they refrained from giving any timeframe for a solution. However, they expressed their hope that they would resolve the issues with mutual trust and understanding.

The two chief ministers also said that they would visit the disputed boundary areas in Karbi Anglong and West Jaintia Hills districts to build confidence among the local populace on either side of the border and quell the ongoing unrest there.

The six disputed stretches are Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdoomreah, Block I & Block II, and Psiar-Khanduli.

Sarma said, “We had a very productive meeting that formed regional committees of both states for on-the-spot surveys of the disputed border areas. The regional committees will start their visit to the border areas shortly. We will convene another chief minister-level meeting in mid-July after the regional committees pay their field visits.”

Sangma said, “I had a fruitful consultation with my Assam counterpart on our commitment to resolve the border differences. We have asked the regional committees to do the fact-finding and start the same process as was done for the first phase of talks. We have asked the regional committees to do the fact-finding and start the same process as was done for the first phase of talks. Some tension is prevailing at Langpih and Khanduli Blocks I and II. We will appeal to the local people to maintain peace during our visit to the areas.”

Sangma also said, “I am confident in the leadership of the Assam Chief Minister and the Government of India. We will find a way to resolve the matter with mutual trust and friendship.”

On the already settled boundary stretches, Sangma said, “We have also asked the Survey of India to go ahead with their survey work and complete it in the settled six areas of differences between the two states.”

Sarma and Sangma signed an agreement on March 29, 2022, for the settlement of boundary disputes in the six sectors in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Also Read: Assam, Meghalaya CMs To Undertake Joint Visits to West Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong in June

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