Border panel seeks extension to submit report on Ratacherra

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 1, 2021

The Regional Committee for East Jaintia Hills headed by Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has sought extension of time for submitting its report to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to December 15.

“We have asked for an extension of time till December 15 for submitting our report to the Chief Minister,” Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui told journalists on Wednesday.

He informed that the decision was taken after a joint meeting between the regional committees from both the states held in Shillong on November 28.

Both the committees had earlier conducted a joint inspection to Ratacherra, which is one of the six areas of difference that the two state governments are eager to find solutions to end the boundary dispute once and for all.

“During the meeting, we have shown which are the portions or areas which belong to the state of Meghalaya,” Rymbui said.

“Since it is an area of difference, the representatives from Assam and district administration from Cachar they requested us to give the map of those areas which proposed to be fallen under the state of Meghalaya so that they will verify how much land it is there so that both sides could visit the place and take a decision,” he added.

The home minister said that both the committees will again meet and the report will finally be submitted on December 15.

When asked, Rymbui said, “In any areas of difference there are claims and counterclaims and as we know Ratacherra since time immemorial is within Meghalaya. But as per the map of Assam government and its forest department, they have some issues on that and because of that, we have this area of difference.”

Stating that it is for the first time both chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya are going very deep into this issue and with a very positive mindset, Rymbui said,”I hope solutions not only to this and if not all, but some areas of difference, could be narrowed down so that in the future also all the areas of difference could be settled once and for all.”