By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The UDP has accused the State Government of being too soft in handling the long-pending inter-State boundary dispute with Assam.
“We do not have any hesitation in saying that the Government at present has been too soft in handling the boundary issue. We feel there should be a change of approach on the part of the Government to handle this matter,” UDP spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said while speaking to reporters here on Thursday.
He stressed that the State cannot always been seen to be meek and submissive.
“Assam is continuing to flex its muscles by illegally encroaching into our land which is in violation of the status quo agreed upon by the two sides. “We cannot remain to be mere spectator to the ongoing encroachment on the part of the Assam into Meghalaya territory. I strongly feel that The Government should put its foot down by taking a tough stand by asking the Assam Government to stop encroaching into our land,” Lyngdoh said.
The UDP spokesperson also insists that the State Government should vigorously pursue with the neighbouring state on the resolution which was adopted by the Meghalaya Assembly to constitute a Boundary Commission.
Even though Assam Government is not in favour of constitution of the boundary commission, it is the Centre which should take a final call on constitution of the proposed commission to resolve the long-pending dispute once and for all, Lyngdoh added.
“We strongly feel that the constitution of a boundary commission must be taken to its logical end without further delay,” the UDP spokesperson said.
Lyngdoh said his party was disappointed with the slow progress made in restoring the dispute and the belligerence show by the Assam Government in spite of the ongoing talks at the Chief Secretary level.
He also made it clear that the inter-State boundary issue would be in the priority list of the party’s election manifesto for the forthcoming Assembly polls.
