Meghalaya has halted 16 different projects that were begun by Assam on Meghalaya territory, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly today.
“This is contrary to claims that only Assam stops developmental works initiated by Meghalaya in the areas of difference,” Sangma told the house on the second day of the budget session.
Replying to a short duration notice initiated by Congress MLA from Nongpoh, Mayralborn Syiem, Sangma said that 14 developmental schemes/projects in Ri-Bhoi have been undertaken by both Assam and Meghalaya in the areas of difference from 2018 till February 26 this year. During the same period 12 developmental works were undertaken by Assam and Meghalaya in West Jaiñtia Hills, six in West Khasi Hills and two in South West Garo Hills.
While giving a district-wise break-up of the developmental work initiated by Assam, the Chief Minister informed that in Ri-Bhoi two projects were completed, two were stopped and four are in progress. In West Jaiñtia Hills one project was completed and eight stopped; in West Khasi Hills one project was completed and four stopped; and in South West Garo Hills two projects were stopped by Meghalaya.
Of those projects that Meghalaya initiated, in Ri-Bhoi one was completed and four stopped by Assam authorities; in West Jaiñtia Hills two were completed and one is in progress; and in West Khasi Hills one project was completed.
The Chief Minister also informed that from 2018 till February 26 this year the number of untoward incidents that have occurred in the areas of difference were 28 in 2018, 33 in 2019, 39 in 2020 and six in the first two months of this year.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, Syiem said that, despite the border dispute, development works should go ahead on both sides. However, he expressed his disappointment that it was Assam that always disrupts development initiated by Meghalaya.
He also said that Assam was not only disrupting developmental projects in areas of difference but also in places where the land clearly belongs to Meghalaya, like a transit camp being constructed by the neighbouring state in Khanapara, Ri-Bhoi.
He also said that on December 23 last year the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council wrote to Assam objecting to the construction but construction has continued.
Meanwhile, Congress legislator from Nongpoh, George B Lyngdoh, said that the government should initiate a high-level inquiry into how Assam was allowed to construct a transit camp on Meghalaya territory.
“Are there any traitors (in the state)? These crooks should be brought to book,” Lyngdoh said.
