Shillong, Nov 19: Congress MLA from Mawlai PT Sawkmie has come forward to appeal to all political parties, leaders and social social organisation to co-operate and support the government in its effort to resolve the long pending boundary issue with Assam. However, if there is going some kind of ‘give and take arrangement’ to settle the issue, then it must be brought to the Meghalaya Legislature Assembly for discussion with other members of the House, he said.

The opposition Chief Whip said he as well as people of the state are very clear that not an inch of their land should go to Assam.

“If there are any areas that has to be given to Assam and vice versa, anything the government decides to give, it should take the Assembly into consideration,” Sawkmie said while acknowledging that the interstate border row is a complicated issue and will take time to resolve.

“We should let the government proceed with its effort to resolve this border dispute but anything dealing with give and take should be discussed in the Floor of the House,” he added.

He also refused with the statement of CM Conrad Sangma about past  governments not making efforts to solve the issue. He reminded that former Meghalaya chief minister E.K. Mawlong in 2001 had visited a few of the areas of differences along with the then Assam CM.

However, he agreed that the present government is sincere about resolving this issue and efforts can be seen from both Meghalaya and Assam side, thus, their efforts need support.

On the CM’s claim to resolve atleast 6 areas before Christmas,  Sawkmie opined that it won’t be possible.