The Meghalaya government for the third time has extended the deadline for the submission of reports by the regional committees constituted for the second phase of the border negotiations with Assam.
The new deadline to submit the reports to the state government is December 31, 2024. This was informed through a notification from the Home (Political) Department issued yesterday, though informed to the media only today.
No reason for the extension was provided. The first extension was made up to December 2023 and the second up to September 30, 2024.
The three regional committee was constituted in March, 2023 to examine the present status of the remaining six areas of differences which include Langpih in West Khasi Hills; Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdoomreah and Block-II in Ri Bhoi; Block- I, Psiar – Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills.
On November 10, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan reviewed the settlement of border disputes of Assam with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh in Guwahati.
During the recent meeting in Guwahati it was also suggested by the Ministry of Home Affairs that Assam and Meghalaya both should move forward towards reducing the differences in respect of the remaining six areas of difference for which the regional committees have already been constituted by both sides.
In the meeting held in Guwahati, the Union Home Secretary reviewed the progress of implementation of both of these agreements.
According to official sources it was decided that the respective governments will extend their cooperation in the survey works in first six areas of difference on the Assam-Meghalaya border at Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Baklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata, and Ratacherra, would be completed in six months.
The first phase agreement was signed between Assam Meghalaya on March 29, 2023.