UDP prods Assam govt, seeks early border solution

SHILLONG, Dec 29: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Sunday asked the Assam government to reciprocate the Meghalaya government’s efforts in facilitating a speedy solution to the inter-state boundary issue.
“We hope the Assam government will reciprocate appropriately so that we can facilitate and speed up the process of solving the long-pending issue,” said UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh on the delay by Assam in responding to proposed joint visits as part of the second phase boundary resolution.
When it was pointed out that the second phase talks have got delayed by nearly two years, he said, “I beg to disagree because the boundary dispute has been pending for decades and it is only now that things are moving forward”.
He said efforts are on from both sides to complete the second phase of the initiative.
“…the dispute is an ongoing process and it cannot be solved overnight. We have to understand the ground realities, and solicit the views and opinions of border populace and hold consultations with both the Autonomous District Councils,” Mawthoh said.
He further said, “Problems are always there but efforts are also being made. Different regional committees have been constituted. So, let’s hope 2025 will be a good year. We hope something positive will come out of this dialogue.”
Recently, the state government had said the Assam government’s response regarding the initiation of talks for the resolution of disputes in the second phase has been discouraging.
Citizens and political leaders are demanding the commencement of talks to resolve the problem in the remaining six areas. Earlier, the two governments had signed an agreement to resolve their 50-year-old border disputes in six of the 12 areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had then described it as a “historic day” for the Northeast.
The two states had agreed to address the disputes in a phase-wise manner.
In the first phase, the disputes were resolved in Gizang, Tarabari, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Ratacherra and Hahim in March last year. These areas were considered less sensitive.
According to the agreement, Assam would retain 18.51 sq km of the total 36.79 sq km of disputed land in these areas.
The disputes in the second phase will be resolved in Langpih, Borduar, Deshdoomreah, Block I-II, Psiar-Khanduli, and Nongwah-Mawtamur (Garbhanga).