Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the latest outcome of discussions between the two states to resolve the border disputes amicably.
The Home Minister expressed happiness over the initiatives taken by both the states and reportedly, the Union Home Ministry will go through this report.
In the North East, there is often a situation of tension on the border over many issues. Assam has border disputes with Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. Apart from Meghalaya, Assam also has some disputes with Nagaland. Last year there was tension over the border with Mizoram.
Notably, the decades-old border dispute with Meghalaya gained momentum last year.
According to reports, the border dispute of Meghalaya with Assam started with its formation in the year 1972. Meghalaya claims at least 12 areas and all these areas are under the control of Assam. Areas claimed by Meghalaya include Upper Tarabari, Gazang reserve forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Retacherra.
Both the states follow the same policy. Under this policy, no state can start development projects in disputed areas without informing the other state. The controversy started when Meghalaya challenged the Assam Reorganization Act, 1971. Under this act, the areas given to Assam were claimed by Meghalaya to be part of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. There has been a regular fight between the two sides along the border.
Several committees were formed by the governments to resolve the dispute. Several rounds of talks were also held between the two states but nothing could be achieved. YV Chandrachud Committee was formed in 1985 to investigate and resolve the border dispute, however, according to reports, his report was put in cold storage.
In the past, several meetings were held between the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of both the states over this issue, but they couldn't be solved.
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