Cabinet minister and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) legislator for Mylliem, Hamletson Dohling, expressed optimism today that the thorny dispute with Assam over the border will reach a positive conclusion as the Chief Ministers of both states are taking a keen interest in the subject.
Dohling was speaking at a programme to hand over an ambulance under the Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP) to the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Upper Shillong Circle.
“The border dispute with Assam is always on the agenda during elections and discussions end at the Chief Secretary level only without achieving any results from such engagements,” he said.
Dohling and fellow PDF cabinet colleague Banteidor Lyngdoh met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the weekend where they reminded the latter of a similar meeting they had held with him in 2019, prior to him assuming the mantle of Chief Minister of the neighbouring state, where they talked about the need to resolve the border impasse.
He also said that the border dispute with Assam was not a simple matter but he is optimistic that it can be resolved with the involvement of all concerned.
Meanwhile, on the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, Dohling said that the issue will have to be taken up when Union Home Minister Amit Shah visits Shillong on July 24-25. He also said that, among other issues, the inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution will also be on the agenda during talks with Shah.
