Shillong: The second phase of the Meghalaya-Assam boundary talks would be held after the budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, government spokesperson, Paul Lyngdoh said on Friday.
The budget session would begin on March 20 and end on March 28. The boundary talks would be held immediately after that, sometimes as early as April.
Lyngdoh said discussion would be held on the six remaining areas of difference related to the boundary between the two states.
Meghalaya and Assam have 12 areas of difference, and six of them were settled last year through a policy of give and take. The agreement was sealed by a Memorandum of Understanding, and now negotiations would begin on the remaining six.
The next six areas of difference are considered complicated, as they include Blocks I and II, Langpih, and some other areas. These areas are also larger in geographical area and are keenly claimed by both sides.
Noting that such claims and counterclaims have been there because the boundaries are yet to be settled and this can be done only through negotiations and discussions, Lyngdoh said, “Once the boundary issue is settled, such claims and counterclaims would not arise.”
Reacting to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s statement claiming Mukroh as Assam territory, Lyngdoh said, “Anybody can say anything verbally, but the thrust of this government is on who physically owns the land, and to do that we need proper documentation…we can claim anything, it is so easy, but let’s strengthen that claim through documentation and physical possession of the land.”
