Shillong, Dec 2: Atleast two of the three Regional Committees constituted by state government on the Assam-Meghalaya Boundary row are ready with their final report. The Regional Committees of Ri-Bhoi District and West Khasi Hills District are ready with their report to be submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
Meghalaya Government formed three regional committees in September to hold consultations with different stakeholders in the state as part of initiation of discussions towards finding a solution to the interstate boundary issue with Assam. The facts, issues and suggestions gathered by these committees will be submitted to the Chief Minister, who will discuss these with his Assam counterpart at a later stage. Assam has also constituted similar regional committees for finding and verifying facts on the border areas. Besides consultations, the regional committees were also tasked with field visits and submission of regular reports on different issues and facts that are present at ground zero in their respective areas.
Mentionably, Meghalaya and Assam have 12 areas of difference, namely, Upper Tarabari, Gizang Reserve Forest, Hahim area, Langpih area, Bordwar area, Nongwah Mawtamur area, Pilangkata Khanapara area, Deshdemoria area, Khanduli area, Umkhyrni Psiar area, Areas of Block I and Block II and Ratacherra area.
Of these, both the states have decided to work on resolving issues and finalise the respective State’s borders in 6 areas under phase 1, which have relatively less complications. These 6 areas are: Tarabari (4.69 sq km), Gizang (13.53 sq km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Boklapara (1.57 sq kms), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq kms) and Ratacherra (11.20 sq kms).
On the finalizing of the reports, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also heading the Ri-Bhoi Regional Committee, said the members of the Committee met on Thursday to have a look at their final report. He, however, refused to divulge any details on the contents of the report.
Meanwhile, Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem said the report is ‘in favour’ of the people of the state but did not divulge any further details.
On the other hand, the Regional Committee for East Jaintia Hills headed by Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has sought extension of time for submitting its report to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to December 15.
