NCP slams Congress, former CMs for failing to resolve the boundary dispute with Assam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 1, 2022

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president and Gambegre legislator Saleng A Sangma on Friday slammed the opposition Congress for not taking any initiative to resolve the long pending boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam.  

“When both the states (Meghalaya and Assam) were run by the Congress at that time, they didn’t take the initiative neither did they have taken the step. (they are) cowards,” Saleng told reporters.

He further questioned the failures of the former chief ministers to resolve the boundary dispute.

“When Mukul Sangma was himself the chief minister, why didn’t he initiate it? Where was he? Was he in the dark? What about DD Lapang, why didn’t they do it? What about Captain Williamson Sangma, what about BB Lyngdoh – they should have initiated it at least,” Saleng said.

On the allegation of the opposition that the NPP-led MDA government had taken a hasty decision by signing the MoU to end the dispute in the 6 of the 12 areas of difference with Assam, the NCP chief however said Mukul’s claim to resolve the border issue did not materialize.

“…you remember when the KSU were shouting for the ILP, border issue, he (Mukul Sangma) openly said that I will solve the border issue within no time but nothing materialized at all,” he said.

Lauding the MDA government’s decision to resolve the boundary dispute, Saleng said, “It is a long pending issue and nobody has taken the step to address the situation. (However), this government has taken the initiative which I appreciate for that but whether they have taken the correct step or not I can’t say on that part but at least they have taken the initiative.”

“At least this government has taken a chance of facing the consequences. There will be lots of litigation, there will be lots of consequences and lots of allegations regarding the issue being taken up as it is a conflict and problem area,” he said.

On the protests against the signing of the MoU with Assam, the NCP chief however said that he saw in the news that the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was saying that “it (MoU) is not the final decision as it is the parliament which has to take the final step and I am confident that the Government of India and the two states that whatever steps they will take they will cautiously because the final call will be the parliament. If any issues arise I think the CM will  address to the parliament.”