Tongkhar expresses optimism to resolve border dispute before Meghalaya Day

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 6, 2022

Minister in-charge Public Health Engineering (PHE) Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on Thursday expressed optimism that the boundary dispute in six locations will be resolved before Meghalaya celebrates its 50^th year of statehood on January 21.

Tongkhar, who is heading the Regional Committee on Inter-state boundary dispute for West Khasi Hills region, was in Guwahati on Wednesday for discussion with his counterpart in Assam on the issue. The two regional committees had also met on December 30.

“I can’t say upto what percentage we can solve this difference but we are trying hard to reduce to the minimum the areas of differences. If not all but to some extent, there will be a solution before we celebrate the 50^th year of Meghalaya’s statehood,” he told journalists.

Stating things are positive, Tongkhar however said he cannot disclose any further on the matter but “there will be an agreement and settlement.”

“In some places which we do not settle, we may agree to disagree,” he added.

When asked, the minister said that the meeting held between the two regional committees was to help both the chief ministers understand better the areas before taking a final decision.

He said both the committees have already submitted their respective reports and recommendations. “It all depends on the (two) chief ministers,” he added.

Tongkhar also informed that the committee have also exchanged their reports. “We have submitted our report to them and they have given their report to us also. We have examined and I am happy to say that whatever findings we had in the joint visit, they have accordingly written in their report… it does tally with our findings,” he said.

On the other hand, Tongkhar said the findings of the committee were based on the maps which have been drawn before and not on the names and the numbers of villages.

He further stated that the will of the people and ethnicity are the two major factors for consideration although all the five principles are important.

“(However) I personally feel that the will of the people and ethnicity are very important to consider as we want a peaceful settlement and to get peaceful settlement it is to respect the will of the people as we are thinking of the problem of the people who are residing in those areas. If we don’t listen to their suggestions, views and opinions (their problems will continue),” the minister asserted.