DULIAJAN, Jan 4: Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he is hopeful of “some resolution” of the longstanding border disputes with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh this year.
However, it will take more time to settle the border row with Nagaland and Mizoram, he said while addressing a press conference here.
“The disputes with Meghalaya are very small, except for in a couple of areas. The disputes are mostly on paper and there is no question of anyone influencing the border residents to choose sides without their own will,” Sarma said.
He also dismissed allegations that miscreants from Meghalaya are trying to coerce the residents of Assam to opt for the neighbouring state.
Sarma said three ministers who were in charge of the regional committees formed to look into the six areas of disputes taken up for resolution in the first phase have assured him that the matter will be settled expeditiously.
Four rounds of chief ministerial-level talks between Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma have taken place over the border issue since Sarma assumed office in May 2021.
Three committees each were formed by the two state governments in August last year to resolve the vexed border disputes in a phased manner.
Out of a total 12 points of disputes between Assam and Meghalaya, six “less complicated” areas have been taken up in the first phase.
Sarma also said that the issues with Arunachal Pradesh will be pursued once the settlement with Meghalaya is done.
Meghalaya, which was carved out of Assam as a separate state in 1972, shares an 884.9-km long border with its neighbouring state. (PTI)
