Ardent demands white paper on boundary problem
SHILLONG: Opposition legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) has sought a white paper on the status of the boundary problem between Assam and Meghalaya during the Question Hour on Friday even as Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, while summing up the debate on the Governor’s address, favoured effective use of the Consultative Committee comprising political parties from the State to have dialogue with Assam political parties in order to have a political consensus to amicably settle the border dispute.
The Chief Minister said that the Consultative Committee was notified and the government was yet to get feedback from some political parties of the State.
“Let this Consultative Committee comprising political parties from our State engage with the political parties of our counterpart to arrive at a political consensus on the 12 areas of differences,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that though he had sought the intervention of the Centre for setting up of a Boundary Commission, the Centre wanted the states to settle the matter amicably.
Earlier, Basaiawmoit demanded the white paper by stating that the issue has been lingering for over four decades.
The Chief Minister said that an exhaustive presentation was made in July 29 last year on all 12 areas of differences including Block I and Block II areas.
He said that the State Government had submitted necessary documents to Assam counterparts to substantiate the claim of Meghalaya over 12 areas of differences, but the Assam counterparts were not forthcoming.
“If there is a need, the government will not shy away from releasing a white paper on border dispute,” the Chief Minister said.
