Home ministry to meet over Assam-Meghalaya border issue on March 9

Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Konrad K Sangma said the Home Ministry would meet the parties concerned on March 9 to discuss the disputed border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.

The Meghalaya chief minister said the meeting in Delhi would only discuss the border dispute, and would not discuss the proposed peace talks with the banned militant group Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

The MHA meeting was convened last month after the governments of Meghalaya and Assam presented their recommendations on the border dispute.

Both Assam and Meghalaya had decided to focus on six of the 12 disputed boundary points for the first phase.

Governments have formed regional committees headed by cabinet ministers. The regional committees visited the villages under the six areas of dispute and then presented their recommendations.

It may be recalled that Sangma had recently met the stakeholders and briefed them on the status of border talks. Local NGOs have expressed dissatisfaction with the report and have so far decided not to agree with the government’s report.

It is likely that the two chief ministers will adopt a two-and-a-half policy.

According to the recommendations, out of a total of 36.79 sq km of disputed land in six areas, Gizang, Tarabari, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilingkata and Ratacherra-Assam will get 18.51 sq km while Meghalaya will get 18.28 sq km. Recommendations seeking an end to a five-decade-old border dispute between the two neighbors were first approved by the two states’ cabinets.

It may be recalled that Sangma had recently met the stakeholders and briefed them on the status of border talks. Local NGOs have expressed dissatisfaction with the report and have so far decided not to agree with the government’s report.