SHILLONG: The NPP-led MDA government is hopeful that the Chief Minister Level talks between Assam and Meghalaya slated for June first week will be positive under the current regime and the outcome will be more than just maintaining status quo as has been the cases in yester years.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the meeting would deliberate on the prevailing tension along inter-State border especially after the incident which had taken place in Balakhawa.
Informing that the no objection certificate (NOC) to carry out the road construction under the PMGSY scheme was actually given by the Syiem of Hima Nongspung, Tynsong added that that they were positive that the outcome of the meeting would be fruitful under the current regime.
He asserted that PMSGY was a centrally-sponsored project adding that he does not see any problem if the project was sanctioned by Assam or Meghalaya Government since the objective was to ensure the development of the border villages along the inter-State border.
Both the states have decided to hold a CM level meet following the recent trouble at Balakahawa in Ri- Bhoi district where the Secretary of the Syiem of Hima Nongspung, Michael Warjri was arrested for opposing and not allowing Assam to carry in the PMGSY scheme.
Lambasting the Congress for questioning the present Government for its sensitivity towards resolving the inter-State boundary dispute, he said that the Congress has failed to resolve the issue despite having the Congress Government both in Assam and Meghalaya for so many years.
“It is not right to shift the blame on others. The Congress needs to look at the past why they have failed to resolve the issue despite being continuously in power for the past 15 years,” Deputy Chief Minister said.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that they had directed the SP, DCs and even the OCs to maintain proper communication with their counterpart on any issue, no matter how big or small it is.
He also informed that they will review the deployment of police along the border areas and if the need be the government would strengthen it.
It may be mentioned that there are twelve areas of difference along the inter-state boundary between Assam and Meghalaya and despite several rounds of talks at various levels over the years, the solution still remains elusive.