Assam & Meghalaya CM meet to resolve inter-state border dispute

Guwahati, July 23 (NKTV): In a bid to amicably resolve the longstanding inter-state border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today met his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma at Yojana Bhawan, Meghalaya Secretariat in Shillong and took part in a bilateral discussion. Chief Secretaries and other senior officials of both the governments were also present in the meeting.

During discussion, Government of Meghalaya claimed 12 disputed places belonging to the state. Government of Assam also justified with documents that those places belong to Assam.

After detailed discussion, both the governments decided to adopt a pragmatic approach and move from status quo to solution. It was agreed to discuss all 12 places one by one and review claims. If possible, both the Chief Ministers will visit all 12 places. Further, Chief Minister Sarma also invited Meghalaya CM Sangma for 2nd round of discussion at Guwahati on August 6.

Along with Chief Minister Sarma, the Assam Government was represented by Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua, DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, Principal Secretary to the CM Samir Kumar Sinha and Commissioner & Secretary (Border Protection & Development) GD Tripathi.

From Meghalaya Government, along with the CM, Chief Secretary M.S. Rao, Additional Chief Secretary R.V. Suchiang, Commissioner & Secretary R. Lyngdoh and Secretary Home & Political C. V. D. Diengdoh were present.

Later talking to media persons, Chief Minister Sarma said, “It was a very fruitful discussion. We came to a common understanding and we are firm and committed to resolve the border dispute”. The Chief Minister also said that in view of contradictory claims, there would have more discussion and review so that a lasting solution could be reached.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma while thanking Assam Chief Minister Sarma for his visit and to take forth the dialogue on the border dispute. He said that as it was a long pending issue, it would take some more time as well as consultation for an amicable and accepted solution to both the states.