By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 27: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), a key ally in the MDA government, on Wednesday pressed for urgency in resolving the six remaining areas of dispute along the Assam-Meghalaya interstate boundary, warning that further delay would only make the situation more complex.
The statement comes against the backdrop of recurring skirmishes in certain border stretches and the second phase of talks between the two states remaining stalled.
HSPDP chief KP Pangniang said his party has consistently demanded that the present government expedite the process of settlement.
He stressed that the “second phase must immediately start its work to find a solution” so that the remaining six sectors can be resolved without being pushed into the future. He added that the party would “never stop moving forward” with its demand and would continue to remind the government to bring closure to the decades-long dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
Pangniang underlined that the issue has persisted for nearly fifty years and said the government cannot ignore this fact.
He noted that in the previous phase, six areas were resolved with the cooperation of both states and their chief ministers, but the remaining six sectors still need to be completed in the second phase.
As a coalition partner, he said the HSPDP was reiterating its stand and informing the government of the urgency to act without delay.
Out of the 12 points of contention, the six areas with relatively fewer differences were taken up in the first phase.
In the second phase, both sides are working to resolve differences in Langpih, Borduar, Deshdoonreah, Block I-II, Pisar-Khanduli, and Nongwah-Mawtamur (Garbhanga).
