The border dispute with Assam that has been a thorn in the side of Meghalaya for nearly 50 years cannot be resolved in one meeting between the two Chief Ministers but will need continual engagement, the opposition Congress Party said today.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is set to hold a meeting with his opposite number from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Friday to discuss the boundary impasse.
Today, Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma said that he is concerned to see new border disputes arising between the two states in recent times.
When the Congress was in power there had been several meetings at the levels of Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners, Zenith said, and the Meghalaya government should base its negotiations on those.
He also pointed out that areas of difference in both Assam and Meghalaya cannot be claimed by either state unless and until the dispute is resolved.
“But now what we are seeing is there are new places where disputes have begun even in areas that are not considered to be areas of difference. It is a very dangerous trend,” the spokesperson said.
He urged the present government to be serious enough as far as dealing with this inter-state border dispute is concerned.
On the desire of the central government to resolve all border disputes in the North East before India celebrates its 75th year of independence, Zenith said that aim is well and good but border issues are sensitive and cannot be hurried.
“In tackling this kind of issue, I think it should be with the involvement of all stakeholders and all political parties collectively,” he stated.
