The first meeting of the West Khasi Hills regional committee as part of the Phase 2 negotiations between Meghalaya and Assam to resolve their disputed border, will be held on Friday.
The meeting will see committee members and stakeholders gather to discuss the issue. This was informed by cabinet minister and committee chairperson Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar today.
Stakeholders will be able to give their views and opinions on the dispute border.
All of the headmen of disputed Langpih have already submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister to demand that their villages be included in Meghalaya. These headmen are expected to be present at Friday’s meeting.
There has been strong opposition and anger over the deal to conclude Phase 1, as many stakeholders claimed that they were not consulted before the agreement was signed between the two states. Several villages wanted to be part of Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills but ended up being handed over to Assam. The Meghalaya government has consistently claimed that it did fully consult all stakeholders.
Preparing people for potential disappointment this time around as well, Tongkhar said, “I cannot assure you that there will be no resentment. We want 100 percent of people to be happy but it may not be 100 percent.”
