Meghalaya proposes dates for border talks with Assam

SHILLONG: The state government has proposed any day between September 19 and 22 for the chief secretary level meeting between Assam and Meghalaya in Shillong to discuss the pending border issues.
The letter in this regard was sent to the Assam government on Monday.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, principal secretary in-charge Political Department MS Rao said on Tuesday that following the chief ministerial level meeting held in the past, the chief secretaries were entrusted to pursue the matter.
Accordingly, state Chief Secretary Y. Tsering had written to his Assam counterpart to fix a date for holding border talks.
However, Assam wrote back to Meghalaya asking it to suggest a date for the talks and accordingly, the Meghalaya government suggested any date from September 19 to 22 proposing Shillong as the venue, Rao said.
The proposed border meeting assumes significance in the context of recent allegation by the Assam government that Meghalaya is encroaching into the disputed Langpih area.
Earlier on April 1 this year, during the chief ministerial level talks held in Guwahati, the chief secretaries of both the states were asked to further carry on with the dialogue.
In the meeting, Meghalaya had referred to the documents submitted to Assam regarding the 12 areas of difference.
Meghalaya had submitted documents and maps on its claim to the 12 areas of difference — Upper Tarabari, Gizang Reserve Forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah-Matamur, Khanapara-Pillangkata, Desdemoreah,Block I and Block II, Khanduli-Psiar and Ratacherra.
The chief ministerial level meeting wanted the chief secretaries of both the states to further examine the documents and also to explore the need to have a boundary commission.
After these issues are examined at the level of chief secretaries, there will be further chief ministerial level meetings.