Assam, Meghalaya CMs to soon visit ‘areas of difference’

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 27, 2021

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will soon visit the areas of differences shared between the two states as a goodwill message to the people residing along the inter-state border.

During the second round of border talks held at Guwahati On August 6, Meghalaya and Assam had decided to find amicable solutions to resolve the six of the twelve areas of difference shared between the two states within 30 days.

The six areas of difference include Tarabari (4.69 sq km), Gizang (13.53 sq km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Boklapara (1.57 sq kms), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq kms) and Ratacherra (11.20 sq kms).

Assam Chief Minister had informed after the meeting that as a message of goodwill he along with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya has also decided to visit Langpih.

The first round of talks was held at Shillong on July 23.

When asked, Sangma told reporters that the visit will take place very shortly.

“We have not planned it yet but very shortly we will be working out. We may not visit all the locations. The Assam CM and myself will be going to specific locations only, we have not decided which and when but we have decided that we will go,” he said.

The Chief Minister also informed that in the meantime, the regional committee heads and the Assam counterparts will also be visiting very soon to the different areas for having ground checks and consultations with the local people.

Both the state governments have constituted the regional committees which are tasked to give recommendations on resolving the vexed border issue.

“We have just had our first meeting where we have now introduced different chairmen to the counterparts and we have asked them now to start meeting the stakeholders at the regional level because there are different district councils, different political parties, MLAs, civil society organizations – it is important to take everybody along,” Sangma said adding “We were trying to ensure that we talk to everybody and carry everybody along and take their suggestions. So it is a long process and it will require a lot of work. So it has started now.”

According to him, initial suggestions and reports that have been coming in are there with the government.

“But it will not be appropriate to share right now because it is a long drawn affair and we want to ensure we take everybody along in the decisions we are taking,” he stated.