Shillong, Aug 16: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on Saturday to discuss various issues concerning both the states.
“Pleased to connect with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. @himantabiswa ji in Guwahati for a fruitful discussion on deepening the bonds between our sister states and exploring avenues for greater collaboration,” Sangma posted on X.
Biswa also took to social media to inform about the meeting and wrote, “Today, in Guwahati, I had an excellent discussion with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri @SangmaConrad Ji,” Sarma posted on X.
“We discussed a wide gamut of issues to strengthen the mutual growth of both our sister states,” he said.
The two CMs had last met on June 2 and agreed to erect border pillars in five among the six of the total 12 disputed areas, by Independence Day.
Following the meeting, border pillars were installed along the inter-state boundary in the Hahim area of Boko under Assam’s Kamrup district. Pillars are being installed along the banks of the Gijang and Tirchang rivers. This initiative covers several areas, including Rangthali, Umshek, Maspara, Malapara, Ranighar, Salpara, Thutia Bazaar and Rangsapara in an attempt to demarcate and stabilise the boundary between the two states.
It was in March 2022 that the first phase of border negotiations was concluded with an agreement to resolve six areas of difference signed by the two states. Since, then, however, there has been only slow progress regarding the second phase of more contentious areas of difference.
The Meghalaya government had earlier announced that the plans to sign an agreement before August 15 to resolve a part of the long-standing border dispute with Assam is expected to facilitate the return of five villages to Ri-Bhoi district.
Under the first-phase settlement covering 36.79 sq km of disputed land, Assam received 18.46 sq km, while Meghalaya got 18.33 sq km. The remaining six areas, where the differences are more complex, are now being addressed in the second phase.
The second phase of the border talks covers Block I, Psiar-Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills; Block II, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, and Deshdoomreah in Ri-Bhoi and Langpih in West Khasi Hills district.
