SHILLONG, July 5: As Meghalaya restarts the clock with an ambitious 45-day deadline to resolve the six remaining flashpoints on the Assam border, BJP legislator AL Hek has warned that the success of the revived Regional Committees hinges on sidelining political point-scoring in favour of the “ground reality” of residents.
The move comes as the state government reconstitutes three Regional Committees to tackle the most contentious sectors—including Langpih and Blocks I and II—where negotiations have remained stalled for three years.
Hek, a veteran lawmaker, stressed that the consensus of those living in the disputed zones must be the priority. “The people residing in these areas must be brought to one platform,” Hek said, adding that while various governments have attempted to settle the decades-old dispute, the focus must now remain on the residents’ needs rather than political optics.
He admitted that the issue is often prone to political manoeuvring but urged all stakeholders to set aside party interests to achieve a permanent solution.
The reconstituted committees are headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong (Ri-Bhoi), Power Minister Mehtab Lyngdoh (West Khasi Hills), and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar (West Jaintia Hills).
The panels include ministers, MLAs, representatives from Autonomous District Councils, and respective Deputy Commissioners.
The committees face a rigorous 45-day mandate to coordinate with their Assam counterparts, verify village claims against official records, and establish geographical contiguity. Beyond administrative paperwork, the panels are tasked with conducting field visits and examining demographic profiles to prepare an “as-is” public asset register before submitting their final reports.
