Resolution of border dispute with Meghalaya: Assam to form three new committees

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The state government will initiate efforts to resolve the dispute with Meghalaya over the remaining six border spots through bilateral dialogue and coordination.

The state government has prepared the draft proposal for forming three more regional committees for the purpose. According to the draft proposal, each committee will be headed by a Cabinet Minister of the state.

According to sources in the Border Protection and Development Department, the three new committees will look into the disputes regarding Garbhanga, Desh Dimoria, Block-I and Block-II under the West Karbi Anglong district, Khanduli CR and Lampi.

It may be mentioned that a discussion was held in New Delhi in August last between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad C Sangma, wherein it was decided that both states would form three regional committees each for resolving the remaining border disputes. Meghalaya has already formed these new committees and Assam is now set to follow suit.

The sources said that once the three new regional committees are formed by Assam, the panels of both states will carry out joint visits to the areas in question.

It may be mentioned that earlier both Meghalaya and Assam had formed six regional committees each for Tarabari,Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Pilingkata and Ratacherra. Based on the reports of these committees, both the states had arrived at a consensus in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and signed a dispute-resolution pact in New Delhi in March this year. These six spots were comparatively easy to resolve, but the six spots that remain now have critical aspects. Both states had decided to start the dispute-resolution process with the easier spots to ensure that the process got off to a positive start.

Assam and Meghalaya share a 884-km-long border.

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