SHILLONG, Jan 18: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma expressed ignorance of Assam’s West Guwahati MLA, Ramendra Narayan Kalita’s statement that “some portions in the six disputed areas would be given away to Meghalaya” in accordance with the “give-and-take” policy of the two states agreed upon last year.
“I have not seen the press conference or the statement given by them. Without seeing that, I would not want to comment,” Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.
Earlier on the day, Kalita, who is from the Asom Gana Parishad, told reporters that some portion of Pillangkata (along Kamrup Metro-Ri Bhoi), a small portion of Boklapara and some portion of Lampi (Langpih) will be given away to Meghalaya.
But the fact remains that the six areas of differences taken up in the first phase do not include Langpih.
Reacting to the Assam MLA’s mention of give-and-take policy, Sangma said, “It is not like that. There are certain yardsticks we have worked forward. Therefore, wait for the entire story. It is wrong to jump to any conclusion or use the give-and-take words.”
He said there are very strong basis and guiding principles on which the government has moved forward.
“Only when the whole picture is clear, you will come to know the whole thing. Till then, please wait. We have waited for 50 years, wait for another two days,” he said.
The CM said: “We are presenting it (report) in the Cabinet tomorrow and will also be discussing it with the regional committees which involve most of the stakeholders.”
“Once that happens, we will go to Delhi to give our proposal to what we have agreed to the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah). That is the procedure we will be following,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said the decision will be taken by the CMs of the two states. Various pressure groups of the state have already made it clear that they are opposed to the give-and-take policy.
No plan for special Assembly session
Amid the call for a special session of the Assembly in the two states to discuss the boundary issue, Tynsong said the state government has no such plan and it is not necessary. At the same time, he left the issue to the wisdom of the two CMs. “Let both CMs decide if they feel it necessary to have a special session,” he said.
He disclosed that Sangma and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma want to reach a solution before January 21. Both will head to New Delhi to meet the Union Home Minister, he said.
Calling it an internal arrangement between the two states, Tynsong said, “Once the final decision is taken, we would like to involve only the Survey of India which will give us the actual demarcation of the boundary.”
But first, a decision has to be made as to which side or edge belongs to Assam or Meghalaya. That is very important, he said.
On the demand for an all-party meet on the issue before a decision is arrived at, Tynsong said, “We have already held meetings with all the stakeholders.”
He appreciated the initiative and gave full credit to the two CMs stating that because of their decisiveness, the two states could reach this level.