Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will arrive in Shillong on July 23 for an official meeting to discuss the long-pending boundary dispute with his Meghalaya counterpart, Conrad K Sangma.
Sangma informed today that the Chief Ministerial meeting was finalised when the two met informally in Guwahati on Saturday.
Sangma was accompanied by cabinet ministers Banteidor Lyngdoh and Hamletson Dohling of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and independent legislator and State Planning Board Chairman Lambor Malngiang.
“They met Sarma to wish him on his elevation as Chief Minister of Assam and as well as to express their concerns about the long pending boundary issue,” Sangma said.
After this, both Sangma and the Assam CM had a one-on-one meeting that lasted approximately 45 minutes. They discussed all areas of difference between the two states.
At the July 23 meeting, the Chief Secretaries of both states and other high-ranking officials will also be present.
“After that we will be having another meeting in Guwahati,” Sangma informed.
The Chief Minister said that both states are keen to amicably resolve the issue and find a solution that is acceptable to all.
Sangma stated that it is not a simple and easy affair but both will try their best to find a solution.
On the claim made by Sarma that Meghalaya has encroached onto 53 areas belonging to Assam since 2016, Sangma said that in the last 50 years there could have been situations where there could have been movements from both Assam and Meghalaya.
“But what we have to understand is that we have to look forwards. Yes, we want to keep the facts of the past but we need to also realise that we need to take a fresh approach to the whole process,” he added.
