James for bilateral talks to solve border dispute with Assam

SHILLONG: Home Minister James Sangma on Wednesday asserted the need to resume bilateral talks to solve the boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
Recently, sporadic incidents of encroachment in the borders were reported prompting the government to ensure security.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said there are many “contentious issues which will have to be solved through dialogue”.
“We are in touch with Assam to prevent any untoward incidents as coordination is necessary,” he said.
To a query, the home minister said the government is yet to fix any date for the chief ministerial or chief secretary level talks.
End of last year, the state government had proposed several dates for a meeting between Assam and Meghalaya to discuss the pending border issues, but in vain as Assam was busy.
The chief secretaries of Assam and Meghalaya were entrusted to follow up the border dispute after the last chief ministerial level meeting held on April 1 last year in Guwahati.
An official source said the future talks will focus on the 12 areas of difference.
In the past, to substantiate its claim, Meghalaya had submitted documents and maps to Assam on 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.