CM-level border talks on Monday after 7 yrs

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and a select group of cabinet members will meet his counterpart in Assam Sarbananda Sonowal on April 3 (Monday) in Dispur to discuss the vexed boundary issue.
The last chief ministerial level meeting to discuss the matter was held on June 5, 2010.
Deputy chief minister in charge revenue, R.C Laloo, who is also part of the delegation for the meet, said border talks will be held on Monday, and added that the detailed agenda will be with the chief secretary.
The boundary issue had figured in the just concluded budget session of the Assembly.
The meeting assumes significance as the last chief ministerial level talks on the border dispute was almost seven years ago between Sangma and Tarun Gogoi.
Later, on August 9, 2011, during a chief secretary-level meeting held to discuss the boundary problem, the Meghalaya government had claimed 12 areas of difference by submitting maps and other related documents after a long research. The government had supported the claim with legal and constitutional back-up.
The 12 sectors of difference include Upper Tarabari, Gizang Reserve Forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Non-gwah-Matamur, Khanapara-Pillangkata, Deshdemoreah, Block I and Block II, Khanduli-Psiar and Ratacherra.
There are nearly 2,700 square km in all the 12 areas of differences, including Langpih on the Assam-Meghalaya border, which had originally belonged to Meghalaya.