The second phase of the Meghalaya-Assam border negotiations will probably begin after the puja holidays, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed today.
The state government will first hold meetings with the regional committees, hold consultations with stakeholders and get all the paperwork in order before setting up a joint inspection of the phase two areas with Assam.
The regional committees will consult with the district councils, Syiems, headmen and others in the respective areas that are under dispute, he said while once again rejecting the accusation that the government did not consult with all stakeholders during the Phase 1 talks.
Meanwhile, on why the KHADC Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne was not included in one of the regional committees, Tynsong said that the government’s reasoning is that there are two committees for areas under the KHADC – one in West Khasi Hills and the other in Ri-Bhoi. Therefore, the government picked the Executive Member in charge of Elaka and the Deputy CEM instead.
Despite the obvious challenges with the Phase 2 territory, which include the more contentious Langpih, Block 1 and Block 2 areas, Tynsong said that he is positive that the dispute will be able to be resolved.
