In order to reduce tensions between Karbi and Pnar communities, Assam minister Pijush Hazarika and Meghalaya deputy chief minister Sniawbhlang Dhar today visited the disputed Khanduli to review the situation.
This is the first time that members of the two regional committees formed to resolve the boundary issue between West Karbi Anglong district of Assam and West Jaiñtia Hills district of Meghalaya jointly visited Khanduli area.
The Assam and Meghalaya delegations also visited the border points to familiarise themselves with the area before the proposed boundary settlement.
Both Hazarika and Dhar met members of the Pnar and Karbi communities at the Khanduli police station in Khanduli. Representatives of the Karbi community handed over their memorandum on border issues to both the ministers.
Pnar representatives from Khanduli also submitted a memorandum to Hazarika and Dhar regarding the hardships faced by the villagers in the area.
The delegations also visited the entry tax gate set up by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, which brought in tension between the Pnar and Karbi communities along the inter-state border.
Speaking to reporters Hazarika said that no tax was being collected from the Pnar community except from the Karbi. He also said that several border disputes between the two neighbouring states have already been resolved and the border problem in the remaining places will be resolved soon.
He also informed that the two regional committees will visit the area once again soon to take the views of the local people.
According to Hazarika, both the committees will submit a report to the chief ministers of the two states based on the views of local people and considering the constitutional limits.
