SHILLONG, Jan 6: Cabinet minister and chairman of the regional committee on border issue for West Khasi Hills, Renikton L Tongkhar on Thursday said the chief ministers of Assam and
Meghalaya will take the call whether or not to disclose the final decision of the first six identified areas or withhold it until a decision is made on the remaining six areas.
Expressing optimism that some solution will be made on the first six areas before the celebration of 50th year of statehood, Tongkhar said, “Even if we come to a conclusion on the six areas, we have to have a threadbare discussion on whether to disclose it since we have to solve the problem in six other areas as well.”
Asked if there is any conflict of suggestions or recommendations among the regional committees of both states, Tongkhar said it is a sensitive issue and not easy for Assam also to take a decision.
“But I want to reiterate that for a peaceful settlement, we want a big heart from Assam,” he said.
Explaining, he said, “Meghalaya was carved out of Assam. When it could give such a vast area for the creation of Meghalaya, it should have the heart to say okay for a few more areas.”
Tongkhar said the panel he heads based its report on the will of the people and ethnicity. There is nothing wrong in that. The Assam side has some factors to consider, he said.
“It is not easy for any state to take a decision on the issue. We are trying our best to make sure the decision is in favour of the people residing on the border areas and we have stressed it time and again in the various meetings,” Tongkhar said.
“There could be a peaceful settlement only if we respect the sentiments of the people residing in the areas. I hope it will be accepted by both states,” he added.
EJH panel yet to submit report
The East Jaintia Hills regional panel on border issue is yet to submit its report to the CM.
Home Minister and a member of the committee, Lahkmen Rymbui said the report is ready. He said the committee chairman will meet the CM when the latter is in Shillong. Necessary steps will be taken at an appropriate time, he said.
On the resentment expressed against Assam’s declaration of Ratacherra being a part of the Borail Wildlife Sanctuary, Rymbui said he is hopeful that the issues at hand would be amicably resolved.
The two neighbouring states had constituted three regional committees each to examine the status of six “less complicated” areas of differences out of the 12. 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 with 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 residents 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.