By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 20: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday said that when his Assam Counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council were in the city for a function, they had an elaborate discussion about the interstate border issues and have decided to visit Khanduli and other regions in the first or second week of October.
The CM revealed this while replying to a zero-hour notice moved by Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on the third day of the autumn session of the Assembly.
“The meeting was unofficial and a closed door one, however very productive, and we are now working out the nitty-gritty of the implementation and once we officially meet in Khanduli and the nearby areas, we will take them up,” the CM informed.
Basaiawmoit, who is the president of the Voice of the People Party, moved a zero-hour notice to discuss the Assam-Meghalaya border issue citing a provocative statement made by the Karbi Students Association.
The association had said, “Manipur-like situation will happen if we lose our lands,” and the MLA criticised the nature of the statement that had the capability to hamper the peace and harmony of the state.
The Chief Minister in his reply also mentioned that the police officials of the state are keeping a close watch on the conflicted region in a bid to make sure that no law and order issues occur there.
“The situation in the area is under close watch to ensure that law and order in the area will not be breached, the district police are under high alert, and regular patrolling is being conducted in and around the area,” the CM assured. Furthermore, the CM explaining the context of the statement said that this incident took place after a meeting was convened between the two states wherein the Assam Cabinet minister and Regional Committee Chairman Piyush Hazarika along with Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and Regional Committee Chairman, Sniawbhalang Dhar had paid a joint visit to the interstate border area of Khanduli.
The statement later was also rebuked by the Assam cabinet minister stating that provocative statements like these would hamper the peace and tranquility of the areas.
The CM further mentioned that the seven new border outposts sanctioned are indeed playing a key role in controlling conflicts and also has augmented the strength of the police officials.
The CM lastly mentioned that these issues are not new to the state and have existed since the formation, but his government is working tirelessly to resolve the border issues once and for all.