CM tells EJH panel to submit report early

SHILLONG, Dec 19: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma has directed the East Jaintia Hills district regional committee on interstate boundary to submit its report at the earliest.
The direction comes days after the state government held a round of consultative meeting with all stakeholders following the submission of reports by the West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi regional committees which are headed by PHE Minister, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong respectively.
“Two (committees) have submitted their report. The third is still having discussions with its Assam counterpart,” Sangma said.
“I have asked the chairperson (of East Jaintia Hills committee) to submit the report at the earliest,” he added.
Urban Affairs Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar heads this committee.
The West Khasi Hills district panel was the first to prepare its report, followed by the Ri Bhoi committee. Recently, the East Jaintia Hills committee had sought time to submit its report.
Earlier, the state government had asked the three committees to submit their report on or before November 30.
The two states had constituted three regional committees each to examine the status of six “less complicated” areas of differences. The areas in question are Tarabari, Gizang and Hahim in West Khasi Hills, Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills and Boklapara and Khanapara-Pilangkata in Ri Bhoi districts.
Each committee was assigned to coordinate with the relevant regional panel set up by the Assam government, provide cross-reference and verify the names of villages (sub-villages) claimed by Meghalaya with the names of villages recorded by the Assam government.
The committees were also to establish the geographical location of the villages and their contiguity and examine the status of the population of the villages, including ethnicity, according to census records.
They were to prepare an “as is” Public Asset Register in the villages, created by both governments, visit the villages and interact with the locals as well as the elected members of Autonomous District Council concerned to learn about the perception of people living in the area.
The committees were to submit their report to the government based on inspection of the villages and agreed yardsticks of historical perspective, ethnicity of locals, administrative convenience of their contiguity with the boundary and their perception.