Determined to resolve border issue: Meghalaya CM in Assembly

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, while emphasising the complexity of the inter-state border issue with Assam, the underlying causes of many issues that border area residents face, has once again reiterated his government’s commitment towards resolving border issue once and for all.

On day 3 of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2024 yesterday, opposition Congress MLA from Mawhati constituency, Charles Marngnar moved a motion on the problem faced by the people of Meghalaya in the disputed sectors.

Responding to the motion, CM Sangma said that this issue is very complicated and has affected many lives. People in the areas of differences have suffered a lot. Keeping the complexity of the issue in mind, several governments have tried for many years to reach a resolution.

He said that successive governments have always maintained the status quo on the inter-state boundary issues.

“Discussions to resolve the issues are going on and for the last many many years in successive meetings, both the governments have always agreed on maintaining status quo.”

Regarding allegations that whenever Meghalaya builds something, Assam steps in and stops it, however Meghalaya does nothing when Assam constructs something, CM Sangma said, “The claim is factually incorrect. Deputy Commissioners and the public in Meghalaya have stopped multiple projects in Assam on multiple occasions. I receive complaints about these actions from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma himself. Later we had amicably resolved it.”

He said that it is very important to understand the difference between the Meghalaya government, the Assam government, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).

“Many of the things that KAAC does are commonly referred to as Assam government actions, however that is incorrect. Since they are two different administrations and separate bodies, we need to maintain segregation between them,” CM Sangma added.

Citing the incident of desctruction of a foundation stone of a project erected by KAAC at Jatalong in the Block II area in Ri-Bhoi district in 2022, the Chief Minister said, “I spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and requested him that while talks are going on and we are trying to find a solution, this kind of situation only aggravates the situation and therefore, we should always try to amicably resolve such issues wherever possible. CM Sarma had agreed with me and we are working on this together.”

“I want to reiterate again that as we did in the past and as we have shown in the last five years, we are very determined to move this along, reach a resolution, and permanently settle the disputed areas once and for all. For that we all need to work together and take this issue up in a positive and constructive manner. We need to resolve this issue,” CM Sangma added.