Assam, Meghalaya to permanently resolve border dispute within this year: BJP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 5, 2023

BJP state president Ernest Mawrie on Monday expressed confidence that the border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya will be resolved permanently within this year.

Addressing media persons, Mawrie said inspite the Congress for last 50 years mostly ruled both Meghalaya and Assam and inspite their presence at Centre, they drag the inter-state border issue for their political benefits.

“Here I need to appreciate our Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who has shown keen interest with Chief Minister of Assam Hemanta Bisawa Sarma ji. In a short span of time, 6 out of 12 issues have been settled between Assam and Meghalaya. This is true in certain areas there are still small disputes remaining but both the States leadership is working out to get permanent solutions. So we can say that 60 percent of the border disputes between Assam Meghalaya have already been resolved and I hope that within this year both Assam and Meghalaya will 100 percent resolve their border disputes permanently,” he said.

Mawrie also said, “I on behalf of the State BJP express my gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Amit Shah for their effort to bring HNLC for peace talk even within the ambit of the constitution of India to regain the respect and recognition as a Nation. Once again I also appreciate the State government’s effort to bring HNLC to the peace table. As the process is in full swing, I hope within a short period we will get the good news about the matter.”

He said the Government at the Centre under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi always says that development of Northeast is not possible unless disputes between States are resolved and armed groups do not surrender.

He always dreams that in 75 years of India’s freedom (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahitsav) of a peaceful and phosphorous Northeast.

“Strong political will by Chief Ministers of all North East States will make Northeast disputes free, after discussion with all States. The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signed several agreements to end extremism and bring lasting peace to the North Eastern States,” Mawrie said.  

Lauding the state government’s effort to bring back students from Manipur, the BJP president said “Prime Minister and Home Minister are round the clock monitoring the situation in Manipur. Respected Amit Shahji’s recent visit is expected to be significant in bringing back peace in Manipur. We all should pray that normalcy comes back to the State of Manipur at the earliest.”

Mawrie said it was also a proud moment for Meghalayans that the chief minister Condrad K Sangma had presented Meghalaya’s vision for a $10 billion economy at NITI Aayog.

“As our CM committed to take Meghalaya’s economy to $10 billion by 2028,  respecting his commitment, we Meghalayan needs to be positive towards the growth of the State, leaving aside our political differences for the glory of our state,” he said.  

Stating that the road ways and air connectivity in the last 9 years have been significant in the state, Mawrie said all road projects which were started during the Congress regime years back were completed by Modi Government.

“During our Late Prime Minister Atal ji the Jorabat to Umiam 4 Lane Road was sanctioned but was completed after Modiji became Prime Minister. The Umroi to Mawrengkneng bypass was only election propaganda for then Congress, now it is a reality after Modiji came to power. During Prime Minister’s visit to Shillong for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of North Eastern Councils, he laid multiple projects which include the inauguration of 320 completed and 890 under construction 4G mobile towers, the new campus of IIM Shillong, at Umsawli, the Shillong – Diengpasoh Road which will provide better connectivity to new Shillong satellite township,” he said.

He said the Prime Minister also inaugurated Spawn Laboratory at Mushroom Development Center and Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre in Meghalaya. He also laid the foundation stone of the Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre at Tura and Shillong Technology Park Phase -II.

“In Air connectivity the Union government has made inroads to Shillong through its UDAN scheme. Now Shillong is connected to Kolkata and all North Eastern States through flight. The aviation Ministry is also ready to expand the airport so that more flights can operate, but State Government cooperation is also required,” he said.