The opposition Congress Party has urged the state government to be careful when it comes to negotiations with Assam over the inter-state border dispute.
Speaking today, ex-Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that it would be prudent for Meghalaya to discuss the boundary dispute with Assam on the basis of documents compiled and submitted when the Congress was last in power in the state regarding the 12 areas of difference.
The areas of difference along the inter-state border are Upper Tarabari, Gazang Reserve Forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Ratacherra.
When the Congress was in government it had prepared an exhaustive document after discussions with stakeholders and compiled available records to substantiate its claims over those lands in the areas of difference.
“Substantive compilation of the records enabled us to create exhaustive documentation to substantiate, reinforce and justify our claims over those villages that fall under areas of differences along the inter-state border with Assam,” Dr Sangma said, adding that these documents were handed over to the neighbouring state during previous rounds of negotiation when he was CM.
However, Dr Sangma said that, after the recent Chief Ministerial meeting on July 23, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had referred to these documents “and he was heard saying that, based on those claims and justifications, they (Assam) also have their own interpretation and their stand.”
According to the leader of the opposition, this indicates that Assam will probably try to deviate from those justifications on the 12 areas of difference submitted by Meghalaya.
He also said that the discussion must ensure that the interests of the people are taken care of and any resolution arrived at must be based on what is acceptable to the people of Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, Dr Sangma also criticised the state government for not implementing the Inter State Border Area Development Programme (ISBADP), initiated during his tenure.
“We allocated substantial amount of fund for those areas. But unfortunately, the present government is so bankrupt in understanding the problem of our people who are residing in the border areas that they have not given due recognition and attention to this initiative. I am very pained and disturbed because our people have been abandoned by this government,” he said.
The aims and objectives of ISBADP were to provide facilities for the socio-economic development of border residents.
