SHILLONG, Jan 12: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh on Wednesday asked the state government to not hurry in taking a decision on the state’s boundary dispute with Assam.
Cautioning against springing a surprise to the people by hurriedly taking a decision, Lyngdoh said, “If those dialogues go wrong, the repercussions will be too deep. We hope that everything has been taken into consideration and these decisions are not being taken in a hurry.”
The statement comes as the two states gear up to hold a final round of talks on the six “relatively less-complicated” areas of differences within a week before meeting Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and making the “final agreement” ahead of Meghalaya’s 50th statehood day on January 21.
“All of these are very confusing to me. I, as a leader and member of the Assembly, have no idea what the regional committees are speaking. We are not privy to any information,” Lyngdoh lamented.
The Congress had earlier requested the government to take its MLAs into confidence on the border issue. There has not been any response so far.
“I just pray that our Chief Minister (Conrad K Sangma) will not fall victim to any pressure which will push the state to a compromising situation,” Lyngdoh said.
“It would be so disappointing if we have to again protest if we are unhappy or not satisfied with the decision taken by the government. Don’t leave everybody in the dark. It is always good to be inclusive,” the CLP leader said.
She said these areas of differences have been the bone of contention for many years and a solution was not forthcoming due to the complex nature of the dispute.
“I just hope we will be duly informed as members of the Assembly as to what decision the government will be taking. I am looking forward to a win-win bargain,” she added.
KSU averse to give-and-take policy – subhead
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) appreciated the government’s move to try and find a solution to the border issue but cautioned the settlement should be devoid of give-and-take policy. It insisted that solution should be based on historical background.
Stating that it is averse to the give-and-take policy, the KSU recalled that when it met the state government and discussed the issue earlier, it had made it clear
that any discussion on the issue should be made by taking the Syiem, headmen, local residents and the Autonomous District Council (ADC) into confidence.
“It is not possible to accept a decision that doesn’t have the approval of the Syiem, headmen and the district council,” KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said.