The proposed meeting between the chief ministers of Meghalaya and Assam scheduled on March 27 to finalise the boundary agreement between Meghalaya and Assam has been postponed to March 29.
Informing this today, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has postponed the meeting to March 29. He also said that the meeting would be held at 4:30 pm.
“This communication has come from Ministry of Home Affairs,” Sangma said.
Regarding concerns expressed by various political parties including border residents about the boundary agreement which will ultimately lead to some areas of Meghalaya going to Assam, Sangma said, “It is always our endeavour to see how we can find a solution and ensure that all concerns are met.”
“We have gone through heavy exercise in the last six months and so we may not be able to resolve all the issues but it will always be our endeavour to try and resolve as far as possible,” he added.
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has also recently taken up with the State government over the concerns expressed by the Hima Mylliem, Hima Nongspung, Hima Jirang, Hima Nonglang and Hima Jyrngam over the method used for the boundary settlement.
As per the proposed agreement, around 18 sq km will come to Meghalaya and around 18 sq km will go to Assam in six areas of difference under the first phase of border settlement.
The six areas of difference under the first phase include Tarabari (4.69 sq km), Gizang (13.53 sq km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Boklapara (1.57 sq km), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq km) and Ratacherra (11.20 sq km).
Out of 36 villages claimed by Meghalaya in 2011, a total of 30 – some fully and a few partially – is being recommended to be in Meghalaya.
In West Khasi Hills, all the eight villages in Tarabari while two out of three villages in Gizang and eleven out of twelve villages in Hahim will come to Meghalaya.
In Ri Bhoi, one out of two villages in Boklapara and five out of six villages in Khanapara-Pilangkata while three out of five villages in Ratacherra, East Jaintia Hills will remain with Meghalaya.
The areas will be determined during the survey to be undertaken by the Survey of India in the presence of representatives from both the states.
Both the state governments have agreed that no new areas of difference shall be added in the future beyond the twelve areas of difference.
