Assam-Meghalaya border: Regional committees in troubled waters?

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The three regional committees of Assam formed for joint visits to the disputed areas along the Assam-Meghalaya boundary seem to be in troubled waters. The three committees were to submit their report to the Chief Minister on November 30, 2021. However, they have not submitted it yet.

Ministers Atul Bora, Pijush Hazarika and Chandra Mohan Patowary led each of the three regional committees of Assam. They visited the disputed areas jointly with their Meghalaya counterparts several times and took the opinions of the fringe dwellers.

The three regional committees of Assam witnessed the differences in opinion among the fringe dwellers. While some people want to side with Meghalaya, some want to stay in Assam.

There are allegations that some people from Meghalaya browbeat the fringe dwelling Garos of Assam, asking them to side with Meghalaya. Even a few fringe dwellers had to lodge complaints with the Boko Police Station in the Assam side on the alleged browbeating. All these seem to have made the border issue a recipe for trouble.

When asked on the report, Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora said, "All the regional committees visited the disputed spots jointly with their Meghalaya counterparts. We saw some 'actions and reactions on the ground during the visits. We need to tread cautiously on the border issue. The drafting of the report is underway. However, it will take some time. We want to maintain cordial relations with the neighbouring state. We are hopeful of an amicable solution to the border problem. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken the border issue seriously."

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