By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Taking a serious note on the vexed inter-state border problem, Meghalaya and Assam on Wednesday reached a consensus on sharing information to bridge communication gap on inter-state boundary disputes and militancy.
The decision was taken during the nodal officers’ level meeting held between officials of the two states here on Wednesday.
“Issue related to law and order, security of people residing along the inter-state border, militancy and other related issues were discussed,” Commissioner and Secretary (Home, Political departments) Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, who also led the State delegation, said.
The Assam delegation was led by GD Tripathi, Secretary, Home and Political departments.
“Sharing of information is one of most important issues to ensure that whatever information from the top reaches the field level,” Lyngdoh said adding that the meeting felt that small irritants tended to create a big problem on the inter-state border.
“We have reached at a consensus that that these small irritants should be controlled and not be allowed to escalate,” he said.
Lyngdoh said the possibility of Assam-based militant outfits making illegal collections from Khasi-Pnar villagers with special reference to the case of Sabuda, Mawlasnai, Umlaper areas in Block II, was examined.
He said, “Assam agreed that the issue of militancy whether from Meghalaya or Assam should not be tolerated so that a sense of security prevails in the minds of the people living on the borders.”
Besides, issues pertaining to encroachment, new settlements and development activities in areas of differences were also discussed at the meeting. “Both the parties have agreed that development activities including implementation of the RTE Act and health should be allow on the border after prior consultation with the respective authorities from both sides,” Lyngdoh said.
On the proposed construction of a dam by Assam on Wahkri in West Khasi hills district, the Commissioner & Secretary of Home said, the issue was taken up, but officers from Assam declared that they were unaware of it. “But it was agreed in principal that no developmental activities should take place without mutual consultation,” Lyngdoh said.
The next nodal officers’ level meeting will be held in Guwahati.