Assam-Meghalaya boundary disputes: It is the right time for talks, says CM Conrad K Sangma

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that even though the Chief Minister-level meeting between Meghalaya and Assam on the vexed border issue has not been held for a long time "unofficial' discussions between him and his counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma were on even before the latter had taken over as Chief Minister.

"Even before the current Himanta Biswa Sarma took over his position as the Chief Minister we have been discussing the boundary issue from that time," Sangma said.

He also said that in the last one-and-a-half to two years the MHA (Ministry of Health Affairs), especially Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been very keen that the issues which have been very critical to the State and the region as a whole should be resolved at the earliest.

During an interaction with media persons, Sangma said that the latest unofficial meeting was held in Guwahati when the Chief Ministers of both the states met over dinner last week.

The Chief Minister also said that he had briefed his Cabinet colleagues about the discussion he had with the Assam Chief Minister and also about the fact that the Government of India has been initiating this discussion.

Sangma also said that there is no simple solution to the border issue which has been dragging on for the last 49 years.

He said that to be able to take things forward there is a need to come up with solutions that are acceptable by both sides and amicably.

The Meghalaya Chief Minister also said that this is a good time to take the border issue forward because there is a very positive relationship between the leadership of Assam and Meghalaya.

"We both share equal respect for each other and our people and our state. The Government of India has also been actively pursuing this matter so definitely the overall environment is conducive to take the discussions forward, but it will all depend on the process and the kind of discussions we have," Sangma said.

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