SHILLONG: Deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong says that the spirit of ‘give and take’ should be there between Assam and Meghalaya to solve the long pending inter-state boundary dispute.
Speaking to media persons here, Tynsong said, “I don’t see any solution until and unless both states are agreeable to the policy of give and take.”
“If we keep fighting for one or two inches of land, where is the end? I don’t see any end and the doors will be closed,” Tynsong further added.
According to Tynsong, the state government would prefer to have the meeting of the chief ministers of both states on the dispute after which the idea of “give and take” can be discussed and deliberated.
He also said that the chief secretaries of both states do meet regularly in case if there was any issue between the two states even as he added that status quo was being maintained by both the states.
There are 12 areas of difference between the two states, which includes Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Khanapara-Pillangkata, Desh Doomreah, Block I and II, Khaduli-Psiar and Ratacherra, and they cover an area of 2,729.14 square km.
Earlier, the Meghalaya government had even submitted documents and maps to the Assam government to substantiate its claims on the disputed areas but the action of Assam government on the claims is not known till now.
The Meghalaya Assembly had passed a resolution on March 16, 2011 that the Centre needed to constitute a commission to settle the inter-state boundary dispute.
However, the Assam Assembly on December 19, 2011, passed a counter-resolution, opposing any move on the part of the Centre to form the commission to settle the issue.
