The regional committees of Meghalaya and Assam dealing with the Langpih sector have decided to conduct spot visits to Langpih by the end of September.
A joint meeting of the two regional committees was held here today to discuss the modalities for settling the boundary dispute in West Khasi Hills, especially Langpih sector. This is also the second meeting of the two committees.
The regional committee for West Khasi Hills was led by its chairman and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh while the Assam side was led by cabinet minister Chandra Mohan Patowary who is also the chairman of the regional committee of Kamrup district.
Addressing the media, Lyngdoh said that both the states have decided to narrow down the areas of conflict, where both have claims and counterclaims.
“We have narrowed down areas of conflict and we have decided to go to specific villages or hamlets after the list is prepared. The two Deputy Commissioners as well as MLAs and local MDCs have been entrusted with the task to prepare a list and then the regional committees will meet after the Assembly session since both the states have sessions in September. So after the Assembly session towards the end of September we will go for an on-site visit,” Lyngdoh informed.
Patowary who echoed the same opinion said, “We have narrowed down the huge gap and I hope after our visit in September we will be able to conclude and arrive at a final decision.”
However, both Lyngdoh and Patowary decline to disclose the areas that they have narrowed down to resolve the border dispute.
Patowary said that unless and until the two sides visit the area and understand the mindset of the local villagers whether they want to stay in Meghalaya or Assam it would not be fair to name the villages at this juncture.
Similarly, Lyngdoh said that the issue is hypersensitive. “We don’t want any controversies and we don’t want any group with vested interests to take advantage of the discussions which are ongoing,” he added.
