Govt to consult stakeholders before signing agreement with Assam: Deputy CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 5, 2024

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs and Chairman of the Regional Committee for West Jaintia Hills District Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday said the question of signing the agreement with Assam does not arise since the issue relating to the Block-I is under discussion.

Speaking to reporters, Dhar said that the issue has to be discussed by both the states.

“If any agreement has to be signed, we have to consult thoroughly with our local people from that area only and the question of signing now does not arise as it is under discussion,” he added.

His statement came after the Hynniewtrep Border Disputes Redressal Forum (HBDRF) had recently asked the State government not to sign any agreement if the Assam government refused to transfer back Block I to Meghalaya.

On the meeting of the regional committees, Dhar said that the regional committees of both the states are yet to meet as they are busy with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Asked, the deputy CM said that the final report of the regional committee is yet to be submitted.

“This is because there is an exercise done by the DC along the border line, we are trying to find out how many villages are being resided by the Khasis and how many villages by the Karbis. So that exercise is on as of now,” he added.

With regards to the long pending issue related to the relocation of the Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, Dhar said the government will soon hold another round of meeting with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) to take a final call on the matter.

He said that the government is trying its level best to resolve the issue within this year.

According to him, there are no hurdles since both the parties will be meeting again very soon.

“Court is saying please solve the problem so we are on the job of solving the problem between the government and the HPC,” he said.