Meghalaya rules out unilateral action on Assam border dispute

Shillong, Oct 7: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the state government will not take unilateral decisions regarding the disputed Blocks I and II sectors along the Assam border, emphasising that any forward movement will take place only after thorough consultations with local stakeholders.
He further assured that all aspects of the boundary dispute will be scrutinized, including the historical landmarks from the April 13, 1951 notification that transferred Blocks I and II to the United Mikir Hills District.
“We look at all aspects. The talk aspect will continue. But while we talk to find a solution, we will definitely ensure all stakeholders are consulted,” the Chief Minister said.
Reaffirming that border talks with Assam will continue, the Chief Minister stressed: “Whatever we do will be in consultation with stakeholders, with the people. We will never move forward without ensuring discussion, support, and consensus building to resolve the problem.”
Stating that the Block I & II row is one of the most complex interstate issues, Sangma said, “It is not easy … it is a very complicated and sensitive problem, but if we work together and we are able to find a kind of a consensus, we will be able to solve this problem, and that’s really what we are working on.”
In the past, the Chief Minister said, most governments did not venture to resolve the issues surrounding Block I & II. “It is only our NPP-led government that has tried to work towards it,” Sangma said.
Chief Minister Sangma also informed that the state government has established police outposts in almost all disputed areas with Assam to ensure the safety and security of the people and their land in the periphery areas of Meghalaya. “In areas under the administrative control of Meghalaya, the government had either set up police outposts or was in the process of setting them up,” he said.