Efforts to solve border disputes with Arunachal underway: CM Himanta

 'Assam-M'laya agreement awaits nod from Parliament'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the Assembly today that the State government had already initiated the process to resolve Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary disputes by taking the Assam-Meghalaya boundary dispute resolution model.

The Chief Minister informed the State Assembly of the agreement signed yesterday to resolve the Assam-Meghalaya boundary disputes. He said, "We have settled the border disputes at six locations mainly by taking the ground reality and the views of the local populace into consideration. The agreement that we signed yesterday is an executive action. It will be a final document after getting approval from Parliament. The Parliament will also seek the views of the Assam Assembly before giving its seal on the agreement. Works for fresh demarcation of the boundary can start only after the Parliament gives its seal on the agreement.

"The Meghalaya Government assured the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that they would not have any more disputed stretches with Assam other than the 12 identified disputed stretches.

"It is the best time to resolve border disputes between the neighbouring states in the Northeast.

We have already started a joint move with Arunachal Pradesh to resolve the border disputes regarding 122 villages covering an area of 850 sq km. Twenty-two villages of the 122 disputed villages are inside Arunachal Pradesh, even though the map shows differently. The two states will form committees with local MLAs, respective deputy commissioners, circle officers, civil society and others. Such committees of both the states will visit the disputed villages jointly and take views of the residents as to which state they want to side with.

"A case on the Assam-Nagaland border disputes is sub judice in the Supreme Court of India. The Assam-Mizoram border is also in a 'conflict state'. So long we don't sort out the conflicts among the sister states of the Northeast, we cannot do most of the work jointly. Conflicts overshadow the Northeast's 'common spirit'. If we stay united, we can follow a separate time zone for the Northeast, introduce a united taxation policy, create united tourism hubs, etc.

"We need to resolve the border disputes in the north-eastern states for the wellbeing of posterity."

Also Read:   Assam, Meghalaya Sign Agreement To Resolve Boundary Dispute

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