Assam Meghalaya Border Issue: Key CM level meet in Guwahati

The Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya will hold a crucial meet on the inter-state border issue in Guwahati on January 12th. This will be the 4th meeting of the CMs on the lingering issue and is expected to be a decisive one as far as resolving disputes in at least six of the total twelve areas of differences are concerned. Chairpersons of all regional committees from Assam and Meghalaya will attend the meet.

Prior to this, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma met on December 22nd and it was agreed upon that a decisive call on the majority of the six areas of difference taken up in the first phase will be taken before January 15th. It may be mentioned that Meghalaya celebrates its 50th statehood on January 21st and the aim is to find a solution in at least a few of the areas before that.

The last meeting in Guwahati was termed extremely productive by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Assam Border Areas development minister Atul Bora. All regional committees were also asked to submit their reports by December 31st last.

Tomorrow’s meeting is extremely significant as both governments are aiming to resolve disputes in a majority of the areas among the 6 places of difference taken up in the first phase.

It may be mentioned that to settle the border dispute in 12 locations, Assam and Meghalaya formed regional committees led by cabinet ministers of both states back in August.

The focus has been on historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, contiguity of the land, willingness, and people’s sentiments.