SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Thursday Assam should have sincerity and commitment to solve border issues.
Taking note of the allegations that Meghalaya is encroaching on areas in Langpih, Sangma said, “This kind of allegations and counter allegations do not do well for the region and we have maintained that such issues are best discussed in the right forum to resolve it bilaterally.”
“It is important for both the governments to demonstrate maturity and commitment to resolve the issues rather than blaming each other,” he told reporters on Thursday.
Stating that the government is aware that people residing in disputed areas are suffering, he pointed out that bilateral talks with the counterpart are a must to resolve the boundary issue.
Expressing concern over an elusive solution, the chief minister felt that it was pertinent to take up the matter with the Centre.
“Under the circumstances, it was only appropriate for our counterpart to demonstrate maturity and commitment to resolve the issues for the benefit of the people who are affected,” Sangma said and added that the two states are to engage collectively in the shared agenda of development and prosperity.
He also maintained that the two states should ensure that there is a more conducive environment.
“From the state of Meghalaya we have built up our case through proper documentation to reinforce our justification pertaining to our claim to the areas of difference,” he said when asked about the progress in this matter.
He added that the engagement would revolve around the documentation submitted but the Assam government “asked for more time and continues to ask for time to further examine the documentation to engage in further effective deliberation”.
“We look forward to utmost sincerity and commitment from our counterpart to resolve the issue at the earliest,” he said.
According to Sangma, there is no point in politicising the issue because people living in border areas will suffer due to political slugfest.
