The Meghalaya government has once again blamed Assam for the delay in resuming the second phase of interstate boundary talks.
Nongpoh MLA and member of the Ri-Bhoi regional committee on the interstate boundary process, Mayralborn Syiem, stated that the Meghalaya government is ready and waiting for communication from Assam.
Meghalaya’s Chief Minister had previously mentioned that talks would start after the puja holidays. However, due to the illness of the Ri-Bhoi district chairman and Meghalaya’s Deputy CM, Prestone Tynsong, spot inspections and meetings with counterparts have been delayed.
Syiem also defended the delay, stating that groundwork and preparations are underway within the regional committees and districts.
In response to criticism over the stalled negotiations, the CM clarified that the cautious approach in the second phase of talks with Assam is due to the sensitive nature of the areas involved, not a lack of enthusiasm. The second phase of negotiations has been stalled for over a year, despite assurances from both governments to resume talks.
Assam and Meghalaya have resolved the border dispute in six areas but the remaining six are considered to be more complicated and were saved to be dealt with in a second phase.
Meanwhile, the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has raised concerns about the delay in resuming the interstate boundary talks.
VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh stated, “The government was very prompt during the first half of the boundary settlement. They even used it as part of their election propaganda, claiming that they achieved something unprecedented in this aspect.”
Myrboh further argued, “If the government could do it, then what is causing the delay now? We need the government to work consistently throughout its entire tenure, not just before elections.”