There has been no intimation yet from the Chief Minister on the reconstitution of the regional committees that will play a part in demarcating the Meghalaya-Assam border in disputed areas under Phase 2 of the negotiations, cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar said today.
Tongkhar was the chairman of the regional committee for West Khasi Hills during Phase 1, the agreement for which was signed between the Chief Ministers of the two states in New Delhi in March.
The minister said that his appointment would depend on Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who will make the appointments for the Meghalaya side.
The areas in dispute to be discussed during Phase 2 are more complicated that those of Phase 1 but Tongkhar said that the strategy will remain the same, guided by the five principles, the chief of which will be the will of the people living in the disputed areas.
“We want to see that those people staying in those villages are happy. Our settlement will not be successful if those settling in the border areas are not happy and don’t feel secure,” Tongkhar said.
