Rambrai Jyrngam MDC Bajop Pyngrope said today that the Meghalaya government is trying to get three villages that were signed away to Assam in phase one of the border talks between the two states back in Meghalaya’s hands.
The first phase of the border agreement was attacked by opposition parties, pressure groups, civil society organisations and even some parties within the state government coalition. Around 18 square kilometres of the disputed territory will go to Assam under the deal to be confirmed by Parliament after a detailed study by the Survey of India. Many villagers denounced the agreement for giving away land to Assam that they want to be part of Meghalaya.
Pyngrope expressed happiness that the second phase of the boundary negotiations between Meghalaya and Assam began today.
“I’m happy to see the seriousness of the two states who have also started taking up the phase two boundary discussion and we are optimistic that this will be resolved according to the will of the people,” he told Highland Post today.
Part of Rambrai Jyrngam falls within the disputed area and is therefore of personal interest to the National People’s Party MDC.
When asked about the unhappiness of border residents after the first phase was concluded, as some of their land was given to Assam, he defended the deal, saying that the blame is not on the current government but on the Congress-led one from 2011 which came up with a list of villages that did not include those who are now complaining about the agreement.
He said that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is working day and night to try and bring back the three villages in West Khasi Hills that, as part of the phase one deal, will go to Assam. Pyngrope also said that the phase two negotiations should be thorough and not just based on the 2011 list.
