SHILLONG, Jan 17: The National People’s Party-led MDA government will examine the suggestion of convening a special session of the Meghalaya Assembly before pushing for a final resolution of the long-pending interstate boundary dispute with Assam.
Speaking to media persons after holding an unofficial meeting in Guwahati with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government has already discussed the matter with different stakeholders on multiple occasions. “We will examine it if there is a need, but we have done the consultation exercise with different stakeholders and political parties on multiple occasions,” he said, adding that the suggestion of several political parties in the state for a special House session on the boundary issue may be considered.
Formal and informal meetings are being held at different levels to resolve six of the “less complicated” areas of dispute between the two states. There are 12 such areas.
Refusing to divulge any details of the meeting held in Guwahati, Sangma said that both the governments are trying to improve the situation along the boundary by carrying out more studies.
Stating that both governments are looking into different aspects such as village, population and continuity while trying to resolve the issue, he said the process of holding discussions will continue till the dispute is settled.
It is learnt that the reports being prepared would be submitted to both the governments in a couple of days after which a meeting on how to take the matter forward would be held.
“Our intention is clear with regard to finding some solution before January 21, but it does not mean that we will rush through. We will do due diligence and examine every aspect,” Sangma said. He added that both states will try to “add some things” they agree on before January 21 and share the information with the Centre.