It has been a year since the talks to resolve the disputed border between the Assam and Meghalaya governments came to a halt and frequent skirmishing has continued in the contested areas.
Meghalaya, however, has no intention of being bossed around by its bigger neighbour and will not give up an inch of land to Assam by force, Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem said today.
Speaking to media persons here about the second phase of border talks that have been stalled for over a year now, Syiem said that he is concerned by the eruptions of violence in the disputed border areas but that it is the duty of the government to maintain peace and tranquility in the state.
“We are not ready to give even an inch of land and, though untoward incidents occur, the district administrations have been instructed to keep a vigil and be proactive, keeping in mind the fact that the process of talks is going on,” he said,
Making it clear that no dispute can be resolved 100 percent, Syiem, who is a member of the regional border committee for Ri-Bhoi, pointed out that the committee will make the best effort to ensure that the outcome of the negotiations are in the interest of the indigenous population of Meghalaya.
When asked about the resumption of the talks, Syiem said that the dispute has to be resolved at the earliest. The talks have been postponed for numerous reasons, the latest being the general elections that were held recently.
The Ri-Bhoi committee wants to have thorough discussions and ground visits to every disputed area between the two states.
Assam and Meghalaya share an 885km-long border with six pending areas of dispute along with six that have been resolved. The more contested areas were reserved for the, now stalled, second round of talks.
