By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 3: The next round of Meghalaya-Assam border talks on the six remaining areas of difference will have to wait until the expansion of the Assam cabinet, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Wednesday, while confirming that both states have agreed to ensure that cultivation activities in the disputed Lapangap area continue unhindered.
Tynsong said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has conveyed his willingness to continue discussions through the regional committees but requested Meghalaya to wait until the ministry expansion is completed. According to him, the ministers who will be entrusted with responsibilities in the regional committees need to be in place before talks on the unresolved sectors can move forward.
His remarks came a day after a high-level meeting involving Meghalaya and Assam representatives over the recent tensions in Lapangap.
Tynsong said both sides had reached a clear understanding that cultivation activities would not be allowed to stop and that the livelihoods of villagers must be protected.
He said authorities from both state governments as well as district council representatives assured that farming and other livelihood activities undertaken by residents of villages on either side of the boundary would be preserved. Efforts would also be made to ensure that a cordial and healthy atmosphere prevails in the area on a sustained basis.
Tynsong further stated that the understanding was aimed at ensuring that residents are able to continue their agricultural activities without disruption while the larger process of resolving the remaining interstate boundary disputes continues through dialogue between the two states.
During a recent high-level meeting in Guwahati between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, both states reaffirmed their dedication to accelerating physical boundary demarcation.
Both administrations are operating under the “Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat” spirit to secure a permanent settlement in the remaining six areas under dispute.
