Assam, Meghalaya CMs to meet Amit Shah on Thursday to discuss inter-state border row

On Wednesday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that he and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma will meet Union home minister Amit Shah on January 20 to discuss the border dispute between the two states.

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Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (Photo: File)
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (Photo: File)

On Wednesday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that he and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma will meet Union home minister Amit Shah on January 20. The two chief ministers will submit their recommendations to resolve the decades-long inter-state boundary dispute.

“The meeting with the Union home minister will be held on Thursday in New Delhi,” Conrad Sangma said.

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ASSAM-MEGHALAYA BORDER ROW

The Assam and Meghalaya governments had decided last year to resolve their border dispute in six of the twelve locations in the first phase. For the same, both states formed three regional committees each.

There are 36 villages that fall in these six locations that cover an area of 36.79 sq km.

READ: Explained | Assam-Meghalaya border dispute

MEGHALAYA'S DECISIONS

Announcing the decisions taken by his Cabinet in Shillong, the Meghalaya chief minister said that the proposals of the three regional committees have been approved. “These recommendations will be forwarded along with the recommendations from the Assam government to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action,” Conrad Sangma said.

After discussions, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will come to a final conclusion, but the structure of the same has been more or less decided after a long-drawn exercise between the two states, Conrad Sangma said.

“The important aspect is that we, as the state government, have faith that the historical facts are there. It is also very important to keep the people's sentiments in mind. The willingness of the people in specific areas has been one of the main driving forces or principles on the basis of which we have reached most of our conclusions," he added.

ASSAM'S DECISIONS

On Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting with representatives of political parties and students’ organisations to discuss the inter-state border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya and solicit their views on the steps taken by both governments.

A roadmap for amicable settlement has been prepared based on the recommendations of the three regional committees.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Our efforts to resolve the Assam-Meghalaya border row have started bearing fruit as six of the 12 areas of difference have been identified for resolution in the first phase. During the interaction, representatives of all political parties were briefed on the progress made so far.”

“We have reached this stage after several rounds of CM-level talks on the matter,” Himanta Biswa Sarma added.

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