By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 13: The Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has urged the Meghalaya and Assam governments to move forward in resolving the remaining six areas of differences along the interstate border that are more sensitive.
The two states had decided to resolve six disputed areas that are “less complicated”. The other six include Langpih, Block I and Block II.
“It is a fact that Langpih is a very sensitive area to settle. The discussion of trying to resolve the Langpih sector should begin by the early part of next year especially with the two CMs having visited the area,” HSPDP president, KP Pangniang said on Monday.
He said he is confident that this long-pending interstate boundary dispute would be resolved after more than 49 years. “We may recall even the Centre had directed the two state governments to settle the boundary issue mutually. This is a positive sign since even the Centre felt that there is a need for this matter to be resolved at the earliest,” he said.
He said a permanent solution to the vexed issue depends on the goodwill and cooperation between the two state governments, local authorities and residents on either side of the boundary.
“I am hopeful that all the 12 areas of differences would be resolved within a year,” Pangniang said.
When asked about the report recently submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma by the regional committee of West Khasi Hills, the HSPDP president said the panel had taken into account the five principles agreed up by the two governments. These principles include opinions of the local people, administrative convenience and history.
Pangniang is a member of the West Khasi Hills regional committee.
“We feel that 99% of the people residing along the border of the West Khasi Hills and Kamrup districts, except Langpih, have expressed their willingness to be part of Meghalaya,” he said.
He hoped all the villages under these three sectors will fall under Meghalaya taking into account the opinion of the people and the day-to-day service provided by the West Khasi Hills district administration to the villagers.