The Regional Committee for the West Jaintia Hills District, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, convened a meeting on Thursday to assess the status of the Assam-Meghalaya border.
The discussion also included the ongoing construction activities by the Assam government at Mukroh. Dhar reassured the public that the situation remains peaceful, with security forces deployed to halt the construction work. However, he refrained from sharing extensive details.
“Today, the Regional Committee met to review the status of villages near the border areas. It was a productive discussion, particularly concerning the construction activities observed by the Assam side in recent days. As a committee, we felt it necessary to deliberate on this matter. We plan to convene another meeting after the New Year,” Dhar stated.
He emphasized that the situation is calm and that the meeting primarily aimed to assess recent developments along the border. Dhar also highlighted a prior agreement between the two states, stipulating that any developmental work should not disrupt the peace and tranquility of local populations. Concerns raised by residents are also being addressed as part of this process.
When questioned about progress on the second phase of talks to resolve the border issue, Dhar acknowledged the complexity of the matter and reiterated the committee’s commitment to systematically addressing it.
Committee member Lahkmen Rymbui echoed Dhar’s sentiments, noting that the border dispute has persisted for over 50 years. He expressed gratitude for the cooperative approach taken by the chief ministers of both states, stressing the urgency of reaching a resolution.
“A solution to this long-standing border dispute is challenging, but the regional committees are working diligently to address the issue. It’s crucial to consider the consensus and convenience of the affected people. I remain optimistic that both state governments and border communities will recognize the need to settle this matter once and for all. Progress is being made, and since the formation of the MDA government, we have been determined to resolve the dispute,” Rymbui stated.
He further added, “Without a positive mindset, we wouldn’t have ventured into addressing such a vexed issue. However, the government is committed to resolving it, keeping the interests of the state and border residents at heart.”
Rymbui elaborated on the complexities of the second phase in Jaintia Hills, which involves resolving border defenses and addressing the retransfer of Block 1. He noted that negotiations with the Assam government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council present unique challenges compared to the first phase. Despite these hurdles, both chief ministers are engaging in discussions with an open mind, and there is hope for a resolution in the near future.
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