SHILLONG: Taking note of the allegations of the Assam government that Meghalaya is encroaching upon its boundary in Lampi (Langpih), Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said sincerity and commitment should be maintained by Assam while dealing with the boundary issue.
“This kind of allegations and counter-allegations do not augur well for the region and we have maintained that such issues are best discussed in the right forum and right platform to resolve it bilaterally,” he told reporters at the sideline of a programme on Thursday.
He added, “It is important for both the government of the states to demonstrate maturity and commitment to resolve the issues rather than blaming each other.”
Sangma stated that the outcome of bilateral discussion was that both the state governments would remain committed to resolve the issue of differences in respect of the areas of difference in the boundary.
Stating that the government is aware that the people residing in disputed area are suffering, he pointed that bilateral talks with the counterpart was a must to resolve the boundary issue.
Sangma expressed concern that the issues regarding boundary had eluded solution which made it pertinent to take up the issue with the government of India.
“Under the circumstances, it was only appropriate for our counterpart to demonstrate maturity and commitment to resolve the issues for the benefit of the people who are affected,” he said, adding that the two states are to engage collectively in the shared agenda of development and prosperity.
He also maintained that the two states should ensure that there was a more conducive environment.
Sangma said, “From the state of Meghalaya we have built up our case through proper documentation to reinforce our justification pertaining to our claim to the areas of differences.”
He added that the engagement will revolve on the documentation which has been submitted, they (the Assam government) have asked for some more time and continued to ask for some more time to further examine the documentation to engage in further effective deliberation.
“We look forward to for utmost sincerity, utmost commitment from our counterpart to resolve the issue at the earliest,” he said.
According to Mukul, he stated that there is no point in politicizing the issue because people living in the border areas will suffer due to political issues.