Local communities must be taken into confidence while addressing concerns regarding Meghalaya’s international border with Bangladesh, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said today.
The Indo-Bangladesh border has recently come to the fore after disputes between the two countries regarding activity in the West Bengal sector. Tensions have increased between the two countries, though Meghalaya is as yet unaffected.
Speaking on the issue, Sangma said that around 50km to 60km of the Meghalaya frontier remains unfenced and he acknowledged the complexities posed by the state’s unique land tenure systems and the need for a collaborative approach.
“In these areas, there are concerns expressed by the local people and it is very difficult in our state, where land tenure systems are unique. We cannot simply bulldoze through without consulting the people,” the CM said. “Our government’s approach has always been to take people into confidence as we try to move forward. While there may be instances of communication gaps, in the majority of cases, we ensure that people are consulted.”
Regarding ongoing issues along the border, Sangma noted the challenges in making significant progress despite continuous efforts and collaboration with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). “In this case as well, we want to convince people of the necessity, work with them, and collaborate with the MHA. However, we have not found a breakthrough yet. It is a matter of concern but we are pushing as much as possible. I hope we will be able to find a way forward,” he added.
