Correspondent
SHILLONG, JUL 1: The Meghalaya government has reconstituted three regional committees to examine the present status of the remaining six ‘areas of differences’ with Assam.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the reconstitution of the regional committees was necessitated by the recent cabinet reshuffle in order to maintain established protocols.
He also informed that the inter-state border talks will resume once the regional committees are reconstituted by the Assam government.
Sangma affirmed that the governments of both states are committed to resolving the remaining disputes through dialogue.
“With both governments now having their teams in place. I expect Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to assign responsibilities to the reconstituted regional committees,” the Chief Minister said.
The second phase of the talks is expected to sort the six areas of difference which include areas of differences over Block I, Psiar-Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills district. Block II, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur and Deshdoomreah in Ri-Bhoi district and Langpih in West Khasi Hills district.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong will head the regional committee for Ri-Bhoi district to examine the disputed Block-II area.
Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh will lead the panel for Langpih, while Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar will head the committee for the West Jaintia Hills sector, covering Block-I and Psiar-Khanduli, including the Lapangap-Mukroh area.
The committees have been tasked with conducting joint field surveys with their Assam counterparts in the six remaining disputed sectors and submitting their recommendations within 45 days.
The panels will also verify village records, examine demographic and historical evidence, prepare an inventory of public assets, and consult residents and stakeholders .
In the first phase, six areas were resolved and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in March 2022. The six areas were Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata and Ratacheera.
Both Assam and Meghalaya adopted a give and take policy under which Meghalaya took control of 18.28 square km and Assam 18.51 km out of the total disputed area of 36.79 square km in these six areas.