JH border committee takes stock of disputed areas

JOWAI, April 25: The Regional Committee for Jaintia Hills — one of the three committees set up by the state government to examine the status of the six remaining areas of dispute with Assam — held its first meeting on Tuesday to finalise the plan of action with regard to the second phase of the interstate border talks between Meghalaya and Assam.
The meeting comes at a time when tension is brewing in Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills over the setting up of a tax gate by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the claim by the Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner that the village falls under their jurisdiction.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chairman of the Jaintia Hills committee and Deputy Chief Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar said it was the first meeting of the committee where the attendees familiarised themselves with the disputed areas to be taken up for discussion in the second phase of talks.
“We will immediately start the groundwork to resolve the dispute in the remaining areas in Jaintia Hills and submit our report to the state government once the exercise is complete,” Dhar said.