By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 22: The ongoing efforts to resolve the interstate boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya have hit a roadblock, with the second phase of talks delayed due to a lack of response from Assam’s officials.
Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who also serves as the Chairman of the Regional Committee for West Khasi Hills, revealed on Saturday that the progress has been hampered by Assam’s unresponsiveness. “What remains is a single day field visit to Langpih, and I have contacted the chairman of Assam (border committee), but we are yet to get a response,” Lyngdoh stated on Saturday. “Once we get a response from the minister in charge of the government of Assam, the date will be fixed.”
Detailing the current status of the border resolution efforts in West Khasi Hills, Lyngdoh added, “We have completed three rounds of talks with the villages. What is left now is a site visit, and after this, the report can be submitted.”
Similarly, the regional committee of Ri-Bhoi district, led by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, has also been awaiting confirmation from their Assam counterparts since last fall to conduct a joint visit to the disputed areas. Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, a member of the Ri-Bhoi Regional Committee, confirmed that they too are waiting for Assam’s response.
The spot inspections and meetings between representatives of the regional committees of both states have been postponed multiple times. Initially scheduled after the Autumn Session of the Assembly in 2023, the meetings were delayed until after the Puja holidays, then further postponed in December, and rescheduled for January. The latest postponement was due to the Lok Sabha elections.
In the second phase of the border talks, the two states aim to resolve disputes in areas including Langpih, Borduar, Deshdoonreah, Block-I-II, Pisar-Khanduli, and Nongwah-Mawtamur.