SHILLONG, Aug 2: The Syiem of Raid Nongtung, Miwell Shadap, on Monday extended support to the idea of give-and-take policy, maintaining that it is a step towards the right direction to resolve this long-pending issue.
Lauding the chief ministers of Meghalaya and Assam for making efforts to iron out the interstate boundary issues, the Syiem said it will be better if all the 21 villages under Block II in Ri Bhoi are given to Meghalaya. “All the 21 villages of Block II fall under Meghalaya. There should not be any kind of dispute on this. I am sure that the state government will be able prove these 21 villages belongs to Meghalaya,” Shadap said.
Stating that he will be contented if the 21 villages under Block II are given to Meghalaya in exchange of Khanapara, he said, “We are all aware that Assam Chief Minister’s official bungalow is located in Khanapara.”
It may be mentioned that as per the notification issued on April 13, 1951, the 21 villages under Block II Raid Nongtung Khyiem Syiemship, Ri Bhoi, include Madan Umwang, Umtlieh, Khlieh Umwang, Sabuda, Jatalong, Umlaper, Pdengtleit, Umsder, Umru, Umjaktat, Itpatung, Umhi, Lumsohlaper, Laru, Mawshadiang, Umsarang, Mawlen, Umjari, Umtyrshing, Marap.
Meanwhile, Shadap said this is the first time since 1972 that something satisfactory is happening with both the governments of Meghalaya and Assam eager to resolve the interstate boundary disputes.
“Personally, I appreciate the NPP-led MDA Government for giving a ray of hope that this long-pending will finally be resolved,” Shadap said, adding that the “silent policy” adopted by the governments of Meghalaya and Assam needs to be appreciated.
Maintaining that the exertion of force will not resolve the boundary dispute, he said, “We need to resolve this long-pending issue amicably, which will be acceptable to the people of both the states.”
