SHILLONG, April 11: Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong on Monday made it clear that the state government would not reconsider or revisit the border MoU signed with Assam on January 29, 2022, since is no longer feasible. He, however, asserted that the government was willing to meet stakeholders to clarify any doubt they might have about the agreement.
Stating that it was wrong to question the MoU, Tynsong pointed out that even in Assam there is some opposition to the agreement in those areas that are coming to Meghalaya.
“We had travelled to the border villages to understand the ground reality. We have to take the middle path to ensure that the boundary agreement is fulfilled since it is in the best interest of both the states,” the deputy CM added.
Despite Tynsong’s assertion, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has asked the state government not to go ahead with the next phase of negotiations with Assam until and unless it revisits the MoU in the first six areas of differences.
“Most of the stakeholders are unhappy with the MoU. How can the government go ahead with the next phase of negotiations when there is a demand to revisit the MoU?” AITC state president Charles Pyngrope questioned.
“We strongly feel that the state government needs to respect the sentiments of the people. We cannot resolve such a sensitive issue which has been lingering for so many years without taking the people on board,” Pyngrope said, cautioning the government against rushing to find a solution to the vexed border dispute.
“It is better to go slow and arrive at a solution acceptable to all,” the AITC state chief added.
