Shillong: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said the north-eastern states should try to amicably settle all unresolved boundary issues without resorting to any sort of violence.
“The Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) has focused on the issue and also provided adequate support to each state to resolve the inter-state boundary issue. Therefore, it has given a “good opportunity and platform” to all state governments to manoeuvre in a way which would lead to an amicable solution,” he told journalists.
“We are really hopeful (for an amicable solution) . There are visible signs…the Chief Ministers are meeting and the Home Minister is talking to all Chief Ministers. This kind of careful attention paid by the Union Home Minister was never seen during the Congress regime,” Rijiju said.
Stating that border issues are “sensitive” and should be dealt with carefully, Rijiju said, “Some problems arise at the borders due to some action by some local officials or the public to generate tension. But it’s the responsibility of the state government or the district administration to ensure that if there are any disputes regarding unresolved boundary issues there should be peaceful negotiations and formal talks.”
The Union Law Minister added: “After all we are not enemies, we are eight sisters. We must ensure that we coexist peacefully and we have to show our ability to handle all issues in the best possible manner peacefully.”
On the issue of militancy, Rijiju said, the central government has made efforts to bring back the misguided youths to the mainstream and the government has been largely successful in its endeavour. However, there are a few who have still remained away from the mainstream and further efforts are on to bring them back.
“Without peace, development is very difficult. Peace and development must go hand in hand. Hopeful that the few remaining would come back,” he said. The Union Law Minister said the central government is always there to help and assist the state government to ensure the law and order situation is under control.
“The Meghalaya government and the central government are working closely to ensure law and order is maintained,” he said.
