By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 29: Amid mounting pressure on the Meghalaya government for the resumption of stalled border talks, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will meet his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 2.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang confirmed that the two CMs will meet in Guwahati to discuss the issue of border disputes. The discussion will be held for resolving the problem in the remaining six areas of differences.
Cabinet Minister and MDA spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said the state is fully prepared with all documentations for the boundary dialogue but significant decisions are unlikely in the immediate future due to Assam’s political preoccupations with Assembly elections, due early next year.
“The reports of our committees have been ready for quite some time,” Lyngdoh said, indicating that the ball is in Assam’s court for joint visits to the disputed sites.
“The response from the Assam side was not forthcoming, probably because of recent panchayat elections. With Assembly elections at the doorsteps, it is likely that they will not want to take any major decision that might tilt voters against the current dispensation,” he said.
Stating that the talks are set to resume, Lyngdoh said, “Nothing large-scale or spectacular will happen before the end of the electioneering process.”
The second phase border talks will cover Block I, Psiar-Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills; Block II, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, and Deshdoomreah in Ri-Bhoi and Langpih in West Khasi Hills district.