Guwahati: Talks between Assam and Meghalaya regarding six “less complicated border areas out of the 12 areas of differences” are in their final stages. The three regional committees constituted for site visits and interaction with residents recently submitted their findings to the respective chief ministers.
At least four formal rounds of chief minister-level talks between the two states, coupled with a few closed-door and one-on-one meetings, have been held since July last year in a renewed bid to move away from the “status-quo” trend and resolve the five-decades-old issue on a “give-and-take” formula.
Keeping the regimen of stakeholder consultations going before arriving at what Assam has to part with or take in the six disputed areas to start with, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday held deliberations with representatives of all political parties at the state guest house in Koinadhora.
Apart from ruling BJP, leaders from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), United Peoples’ Party Liberal (UPPL), Opposition parties such as Congress, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and CPI-M attended the meeting.
“Our efforts to resolve the Assam-Meghalaya border row have started bearing fruits as six of the 12 areas of difference have been identified for resolution in the first phase. A roadmap for amicable settlement has been prepared based on the recommendations of three regional committees with representatives from both the states,” chief minister Sarma later said after apprising party representatives of the progress of the talks.
According to sources, decisions have been taken on the give-and-take formula applied to “a disputed area of 36.79 sq km” in the six border areas comprising Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pillingkata and Ratacherra – falling under West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills districts in Meghalaya and Kamrup Metro, Kamrup and Cachar districts in Assam.
The three regional committees formed by the Assam government on the inter-state border row had earlier submitted their reports and the findings of inspections made by the committees were discussed during the meeting.
Addressing media persons after the all-party meeting, West Guwahati MLA and AGP leader, Ramendra Narayan Kalita said a decision was arrived at in the meeting, and accordingly, “some portion of Pillingkata (along the Kamrup Metro-Ri-Bhoi inter-state boundary), a small portion of Boklapara, which falls in my constituency, West Guwahati, and some portion of Lampi (Langpih) in Kamrup district will be given away to Meghalaya.”
He said that these areas have had disputes for the past five decades, and despite several meetings during the period, no breakthrough was arrived at.
The focus of the chief minister-level talks on the Assam-Meghalaya border row has been on historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, contiguity of the land, willingness, and people’s sentiments.
Opposition demands special Assembly session
Meanwhile, Opposition leaders from Congress and AIUDF said that further deliberations on the give and take policy are required, and a final call on the six disputed areas should only be taken after a special Assembly session.
Assam Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and Nazira MLA Debabrata Saikia, who was part of the all-party meeting, demanded a special Assembly session to discuss how much Assam should leave and take in the areas.
“There was a proposal made by the Assam government that half of the disputed area (of a total of 36.79 sq km in the six areas) would be retained and the other half given away to Meghalaya. However, at this point, we are not on the same page, and we feel that a special House session is required. Our demand was placed before the chief minister at the meeting,” Saikia said.
Mankachar (South Salmara) MLA Aminul Islam, also echoed Saikia. He said the matter be raised during an Assembly session rather than just taking a call after discussing such a crucial matter with a few representatives of political parties.
“But what is encouraging is that there will be a clause in the agreement saying that Meghalaya (or Assam) cannot claim any more area once the areas are demarcated based on the compromise formula,” Islam said.
Later in the afternoon, the chief minister also held a meeting with organisations such as the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), All Assam Rabha Students’ Union (AARSU), among others and apprised the representatives about the decisions taken.
The chief ministers of the two states are likely to meet Union home minister Amit Shah before making a “final agreement” even as efforts are being made to make the final call ahead of Meghalaya’s 50th statehood day on January 21, 2022.