United Democratic Party (UDP) adviser, MDC and former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong today said that the state government should take into consideration the loud protests against aspects of the border deal signed between Meghalaya and Assam and examine the claims of those against the agreement.
“Each and every case (controversial) should be looked into carefully, the documents should be studied, maps looked at and, wherever there are claims from both sides, history should be studied deeply and consultation with the concerned stakeholders and traditional heads should all be done religiously and nothing should be rushed,” he told Highland Post.
Meanwhile, concerning the people of Malang Salbari, who have expressed dismay and anger at falling under Assam according to the agreement, Rambrai Jyrngam MLA Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang today told HP that, if possible, he would like the matter revisited before the agreement is finalised.
Stating that he wants the entire area of Malang Salbari to fall under Meghalaya, Marbaniang, however, explained that this decision to hand the village to Assam is according to the coordinates submitted by the state government to Assam in 2011, which is well before the latest boundary talks.
Marbaniang also said that he will try to find the exact coordinates of the border deal in Malang Salbari and will visit the area again on Thursday.
“I have also told our Garo friends in the area that we have to talk this matter over with the Chief Minister and his counterpart in Assam to try and reconsider the matter,” the MLA stated.
