By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 21: The resumption of the second phase of Assam-Meghalaya border talks still hangs fire with the State government saying that the dates for fresh talks can be announced after coordinating with its Assam counterpart.
“We have to coordinate with Assam first. Only then can we tell you the dates,” Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Thursday.
The second phase of negotiations has been stalled for more than a year and a half, with both governments repeatedly assuring the resumption of talks.
Asked if the government is hopeful about a final settlement, he said, “We are trying but the issue is complicated.”
In the second phase, both sides are working to resolve differences in Langpih, Borduar, Deshdoomreah, Block I-II, Psiar-Khanduli, and Nongwah-Mawtamur.
The two governments have assured the public of their commitment to restarting the discussions. However, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma recently stressed the need for caution, noting that the second phase of talks involves more sensitive and complex areas compared to the first.
Assam and Meghalaya share an 885 km border with six key points of contention identified. Both the chief ministers have yet to visit the disputed areas as planned.
Concerns among MLAs
Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader, AL Hek said there are growing concerns among the MLAs over the delay in resumption of the second phase of the border talks.
“There are concerns from different MLAs and ministers too. We should continue discussion to solve the border dispute between the two states in the second phase,” he said.
He said that is not just the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to see the dispute resolved but also of the people of the State.
He said the regional committees of Meghalaya are ready for the talks but their Assam counterparts are not. “We have to keep reminding them. If our people and MLAs are willing to resolve the issue, we will ask Assam to talk immediately and resolve the issue,” he added.
He further said that he would take the issue up with the regional committees for discussion.
Earlier, the two governments had signed an agreement to resolve their 50-year-old border dispute in six of the 12 locations, which Shah described as an “historic day” for the Northeast.
The two states agreed to address the border dispute in phases.
Out of the 12 points of contention, the six areas with relatively fewer differences were taken up in the first phase. In March last year, both governments resolved the dispute in Hahim, Gizang, Tarabari, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilangkata, and Ratacherra.
According to the agreement, Assam would retain 18.51 sq km of the total 36.79 sq km of disputed land in these areas.