SHILLONG: The total disputed area on the Assam-Meghalaya boundary is approximately 2729.14 sq.km. which both the states are trying to resolve through dialogues.
This was informed by Meghalaya’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Kyrmen Shylla in reply to a supplementary question raised by Congress MLA, Kimfa Marbaniang who asked about the total areas on the inter-state boundary claimed by neighbouring Assam.
The minister informed that the areas of differences have been identified and categorised by the Joint Official Committee constituted as a result of the meeting of Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya held on May 26, 1983.
There are 12 areas of differences which include Tarabari (4.69 sq.km), Gizang (13.53 sq.km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Langpih (298.07 sq.km), Borduar (147.83 sq.km), Boklapara (1.57 sq. km.), Nongwah- Matamur (137.51 sq.km), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq.km), Desh Doomreah (487.72 sq. km), Block I and Block II (1547.42 sq.km), Khanduli-Psiar (76.80 sq.km) and Retacherra (11.20 sq.km).
Definitive Political map
Prior to this, the Minister, in reply to questions posed by the Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the preparation of political map of the state was completed in 1979-80 and a detailed map was available.
Stating that the genesis of the debate on disputed areas needs to be understood, Lyngdoh asked as to why debates on disputed areas continued in spite of having a political map.
At this point, the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma came to the rescue of Shylla, a young minister, by informing that there are 12 areas of disputes between Meghalaya and Assam and that discussions between the two states were on.
“There are 12 areas of disputes and the state governments (of Assam and Meghalaya) are engaging in discussion and taking this discussion forward,” he said adding that political maps prepared by respective states.
Sangma maintained that the process of getting the official map is complicated even as the Government of India had taken a step to set up the Chandrachud Committee for boundary demarcation between the two states.
“We have our political map and we are sticking with that,” he said adding that discussions on disputed areas are going on.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA George Lyngdoh raised a concern on boundary pillars erected and shifted both in disputed and non-disputed areas and suggested that a visit should be made to such areas to which Sangma said that the matter would be examined.