Guwahati, Jan 23: The Congress on Saturday lashed out at Assam government for its ‘give and take’ formula to settle the boundary dispute with Meghalaya. The Congress has demanded discussion on the matter in the state Assembly.

The opposition has very clearly stated that the government’s decision should be challenged in Court and a mass movement should be built against it.

Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia wrote to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying the decision is against the interests of the state and demanded a Special Assembly Session to discuss the matter in detail.

“By taking a final decision on the Assam-Meghalaya border imbroglio in the state cabinet and sending a report to the Centre without a discussion in the state Assembly, you have done something that is against the state’s interests. This is irresponsible and unconstitutional,” he said.

“If you do not allow a discussion in the House on the issue and proceed without concern for public opinion, you will be remembered in history as the chief minister who surrendered,” the Congress leader said in his letter.

According to the recommendations given jointly by three regional committees formed by the two states, out of 36.79 sq km of disputed area taken up for settlement in the first phase, Assam will get full control on 18.51 sq km and Meghalaya on 18.28 sq km.

Meghalaya was carved out of Assam in 1972 and it had challenged the Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971, leading to disputes related to 12 areas in different parts of the shared 884.9 km long border. Six areas with relatively less critical differences have been taken up in the first phase of the settlement of the inter-state border dispute.