By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 20: The second phase of the interstate border talks on resolving the dispute between Meghalaya and Assam in six remaining areas of contention has been delayed for over six months and now the talks are likely to be held only after the declaration of the Lok Sabha poll results on June 4.
Although Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has maintained that the two states share a strong communication network, the regional committees of West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district are still awaiting nods from their Assam counterparts to conduct the joint survey in the disputed sites.
“As a member of the regional committee of Ri-Bhoi district we have been engaging with our Assam counterpart but we hope that after the declaration of the election results both sides will fix a date and take forward the pending matter regarding the second phase,” Nongpoh MLA and member of the Ri-Bhoi regional committee, Mayralborn Syiem said on Wednesday.
Syiem admitted that the delay in resolution of the border dispute was providing the active radical groups with opportunities to take advantage of the sensitive situation on religious grounds.
Reminding that there were reports of poster campaigns and diktats involving religion and education in Marmain area of Ri-Bhoi bordering Assam, he said, “We have to ensure that the people of our state especially in the border areas live in peace and harmony. We have been mandated with a very beautiful Constitution as a secular country where we are free to follow any religion we wish to.”