Dibya Kamal Bordoloi
GUWAHATI: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma met on Friday in Guwahati to start the process of resolving differences in state boundaries.
After the crucial meeting, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said in a joint press meet, “This is a very important issue and it is a follow up on our Shillong meeting of 23rd July where we decided to meet on 6th August, today. We are very happy that the meeting was positive and constructive. Both the governments are clear that we want to resolve the disputes. A lot of people have suffered for very long because of the differences. A strong political will is required to find a solution in a respectful manner.” Changma further added,In the interest of assuring that it is done in a much faster manner we have also decided that there will be regional committees that will be formed by both the states headed by a cabinet minister.
Talking to the media Assam chief minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We have 12 areas of dispute. From the Assam side we don’t have any dispute but the dispute has arisen because the government of Meghalaya has claimed certain territories in these twelve locations. When we met in Shillong we decided that all these 12 disputes cannot be resolved at a time. So we have to take a step by step approach. In the last meeting held in Shillong, the government of Meghalaya had given a presentation flagging their perspective on the issue.
Today, we highlighted our point of view. After our discussion in Shillong and Guwahati we found that it will be good if we start with six locations. From the Assam side these are in Cachar District, Kamrup and Kamrup Metro. From the Meghalaya side the areas are in West Khasi Hills, Ribhoi and East Jaintia Hills.” The crucial meeting was attended by top level officials of both the sides, besides several ministers of Assam and Meghalaya.
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