Amid Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement of the erection of the first boundary pillar along the Assam-Meghalaya border, various NGOs and stakeholders in Meghalaya have expressed strong opposition to the border agreement signed in March 2022.
The groups claim that the agreement was made without adequate consultation with local communities, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders. They argue that the border dispute resolution process should prioritize the rights and interests of indigenous people and ensure that their voices are heard.
Even the Shillong Member of Parliament Ricky AJ Syngkon stated that the long pending border dispute cannot be solved in a matter of days.
He also said that the policy of give and take is not enough and documentary proofs have to be presented before the two states are ready to resolve the issue.
The agreement, signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aimed to resolve disputes in six areas along the 884.9-km-long interstate border.
However, critics in Meghalaya contend that the agreement may not necessarily benefit the state or its people.
“We were not consulted, and our concerns were not addressed,” said a representative of a local NGO. “The agreement seems to be more in favor of Assam, and we fear that our lands and rights may be compromised.”
The opposition highlights the complexities and challenges involved in resolving the decades-old border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
While the two states have agreed to install border pillars in five disputed areas by Independence Day, the controversy surrounding the agreement is likely to continue.
Stakeholders in Meghalaya are demanding a more inclusive and transparent process, ensuring that the rights and interests of local communities are protected. The issue has sparked a debate about the need for greater consultation and cooperation between the two states and the Centre to resolve the longstanding border dispute.
