Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said that the government is working with the locals in Pilangkata and Maikhuli and the Ri Bhoi administration to address the concerns raised by the villagers, who do not want to be tagged with Assam in the final boundary settlement.
“There are different interpretations on the MoU (signed in 2022 to resolve the area of difference in first phase) by both Assam and Meghalaya and hence to avoid kind of complications we have asked the deputy commissioners post which the chairmen of the two regional committees will sit down and work out the details and finally the Chief Ministers will meet where we will be able to freeze the boundary pillars for Pilangkata and Maikhuli but it may take sometime,” Sangma said.
He said that he was hopeful that for Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim and Boklapara the two states would be able to draw the boundary lines and pillars before August 15 this year.
He pointed out that as per the 2012 report (on the areas of differences) the then Meghalaya government showed Malang Salbari to be part of Assam and not in the areas of differences.
According to him initially when the state did not demand for that village how will the current government demand for it from Assam.
Therefore Sangma said that during the survey they will try to figure out how to cover Malang Salbari too.
“It is not so simple but we are trying our best,” he added.
Meanwhile on Block I and II the Chief Minister said that these areas do not feature in the talks since these are complicated and sentiments are high around it.
He pointed out that both the state governments are aware about the issue but they won’t rush the matter but would take a decision where there is acceptability.
On the concerns of Assam that cutting of hills in Meghalaya is causing floods in Guwahati, Sangma said that during the recent Chief Minister level meeting both states decided to take the issue scientifically.
“Whether it is the developmental activities taking place in Meghalaya side, rainfall that is increasing year by year or the flow of water into the drains in urbanised places like Guwahati. Let us come out with facts, details and scientific reports,” the Chief Minister added.
