By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Even after forty years of Statehood the jinxed border dispute has not been resolved despite recent efforts in several fronts to arrive at a solution.
Though the Chief Secretary level and the Chief Minister level talks were held earlier, but of late no formal meeting has been convened between the two governments, much to the dismay of villagers living along the inter-state border who have been facing excesses in the form of interference and encroachment by Assam government authorities and the Assam police.
Chief Secretary WMS Pariat on Wednesday termed it unfortunate that formal talks between the two states have not taken place for a long time now.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had written a letter to his Assam counterpart in December last year suggesting for discussions at the Chief Ministers’ level to resolve the boundary tangle in an expeditious way, however nothing positive has emanated from the Assam side.
Though Langpih continues to be the bone of contention between the two neighbouring states, both ironically ruled by the Congress, yet there are often reports of encroachment and forced construction of Assam Government establishments by the neighbouring state inside Meghalaya territory in Block I and II areas of Ri Bhoi district.
Recently it was alleged that Assam had encroached in 15 villages under the jurisdiction of Hima Nongspung in Ri-Bhoi District and the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) had even begun electrification process in these villages without any permission from authorities in Meghalaya. Besides, there were reports of forceful construction of an entrance gate of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and a bank in Sabuda in Block II.
Last month it was also alleged that the Assam Government had erected a border pillar at Bakhlapara under Hima Nongspung claiming the territory as its own.
According to the State Chief Secretary, the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi is looking into the matter of alleged encroachment by Assam in certain areas of the district.
“As of now there is nothing much of encroachment in the district except in Sabuda,” Pariat said, even as he mentioned that the Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner is taking all measures and putting up magistrates in the disputed areas to ensure that the situation remains normal.