Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said that Meghalaya has all documents to substantiate its claim over the areas it has border dispute with Assam.
“The State government has all documents to prove its claim,” he said after chairing a meeting of the Regional Committee of Ri-Bhoi here today to discuss its next course of action for the second phase of border talks.
Tynsong stated that as far as Ri-Bhoi District is concerned, there are three sectors like Bodwar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, and Block II which will be taken up for discussion with Assam.
According to him, today’s meeting of the committee has decided that next month to have a joint meeting with the Regional Committee from Assam next month and then later go for a joint inspection and assessment of the remaining areas of differences.
“We will not only discuss in a meeting but we will go down to the village and make a final decision,” Tynsong said.
He added that the terms of reference of the Regional Committee will be the same as in the first phase of the border talks.
Concerning the resentment seen among certain sections of the society on the first phase of boundary settlement, Tynsong stated that it will always be a challenge to satisfy public sentiment.
“The public sentiments will always be there and some group will be there to oppose the work of the government. Now we have crossed 50 years but it’s only this government that has taken the firm decision to resolve this issue once and for all,” he said.
“The first phase has completed and yes we did see many sections of the population applauded us but some criticised us and alleged we sold the land to Assam. But whatever the case is we are doing it for the best interest of the next generation of our State. We will go ahead no matter what,” he added.
The meeting was attended by committee members including Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar and others.
