Meghalaya to lose 66 acres of land from Assam in border dispute: Opposition

Meghalaya Opposition Chief Whip George B. Lyngdoh on Tuesday alleged that the state government had given 66 acres of land in Assam’s Re-Bhoi district under an agreement reached between the two states to resolve the border dispute.

Trinamool Congress opposition leader Mukul Sangma also warned the BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government not to rush into finalizing a “memorandum of understanding” to resolve 12 areas of differences with Assam.

Meghalaya and Assam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 29 to resolve the border dispute in six places – in the first phase Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata and Ratacherra .

It was sent to the Interior Ministry for further investigation.

Lyngdoh accused the government of handing over 66 acres of state land in the Khanapara area to Assam.

I am not happy with the resolution of (interstate border dispute). The TMC leader said that while considering this settlement, we have lost the gateway of the state which has already been signed.

Urging the government to rectify this and withdraw its consent to give 66 acres of land in Assam to Khanapara, he said the state should not be forced to accept such a settlement.

Sangma also urged the government not to rush into finalizing the MoU.

Supporting George’s motion, Sangma said, “I would like to appeal to the government to get a more comprehensive understanding of this complex and controversial issue before you decide to partially resolve it.” Do

He claimed that the neighboring state was pushing for a MoU as it would be beneficial.

This precaution has also come to the fore in the meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to finalize the MoU ahead of Chief Minister Konrad Sangma’s visit to New Delhi.