SHILLONG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said the process for a joint survey to demarcate the actual line between Assam and Meghalaya in six identified locations has started.
Reacting to a query after holding a meeting with pressure groups here to discuss the boundary dispute, Sangma said a need arose to demarcate the actual boundary soon after both states came to an agreement on the six less complicated areas of dispute.
The Centre had asked the Survey of India to do the joint inspection and survey with both the states to ensure consensus on the micro-drawing of the actual line.
During the meeting with the pressure groups, the government gave details on how both the states have reached a basic understanding on the six locations.
“We shared micro details but we have not been able to give a hard copy. I read out the details about the village areas to be demarcated,” Sangma said.
The pressure groups expressed some concerns and gave suggestions to the government besides stressing that the interest of the people of the state should be taken care of.
Stating that there will never be a 100% solution but the government will try to make sure that the interest of the people of the state is not sacrificed, the chief minister said most of the pressure groups expressed positivity on the issue.
Sangma said the government would share the details with political parties that are not in the coalition.
Asked for a deadline to resolve the dispute in the six locations, Sangma said attempts were being made to resolve the dispute soon.
Pressure groups demand copy of reports
The pressure groups, meanwhile, have asked the state government to share the reports of the regional border committees of both the states in toto.
KSU president Lambokstar Marngar told reporters that the government could not share the reports on paper and it was difficult for them now to say as to what strategy the government has applied while resolving the issue.
The KSU chief, however, said the government should consider the historical background of the areas before reaching a final decision on the dispute areas.
The KSU has also decided to constitute its own team that would visit all six areas and interact with the people who reside to know the views of the people and to find out if the regional committees have taken the correct views of the people or not.
Asked if the government should have taken the pressure groups on board while holding discussions with Assam, Marngar said the voice of the people and the documents of traditional institutions should be taken into consideration.
He added that the question of trusting the reports of the regional committees without reading them does not arise.
Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) president, Robertjune Kharjahrin had a similar view. But he said the chief minister assured them that most villages will be with Meghalaya.
The HYC president also said there are a lot of grey areas, particularly in stretches with jungles and rivers.
“We also object to the acceptance of adverse possession by any government to determine the boundary dispute,” he said, adding that the HYC will hold discussions with the traditional institutions before giving the final comment on the matter.
Hynniewtrep National Youth Front president, Sadon Blah lamented that there was a lack of clarity in the meeting and it “seemed there was a lack of proper consultations with the traditional institutions”.