Shillong, Dec 16: Clarifying on the reasons for missing out on the crucial consultative meeting on the interstate Assam – Meghalaya border convened by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday, opposition Congress on Thursday said there was lack of clarity on the meeting and its office supposedly received the invitation letter after the meeting on the border issue was over.

“No staff of the Bhavan received this important letter and the receipt of dak of the political department, Government of Meghalaya, indicates that the letter was received on December 15, likely after the meeting was over,” Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ampareen Lyngdoh said in her statement on Thursday, adding there was no clarity with regards to the invitation to attend an All Party meeting by the MDA on the subject of ‘Inter state border talks’ on December 15.

At the same time, she accused the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government of sidelining the party on the issue. “This is not the first time that the INC has been side-lined in the decision-making process on this important agenda,” she said while pointing out that not very long ago members of the INC of the Regional Committee were not informed of a crucial meeting held at Langpih.

She added that the MLA and MDC of 33-Rambrai Jyrngam gate-crashed the talks and only received their invites a day after the meeting was over.

According to her, it would be misleading to project to the people of Meghalaya that the Indian National Congress (INC) did not attend the important “Border Talks”.

“We express our complete shock and disbelief that our government, once again, failed to invite us to these decisive discussions. We place on record our demand for an inclusive dialogue at the earliest, prior to any decision taking on the matter,” she said.

The CLP leader further asked the Chief Minister to review the meeting held on December 15 and insert into the minutes of the meeting that the Indian National Congress of the State of Meghalaya did not receive necessary communication and hence were absent from these crucial talks.

“We look forward to a favorable response from the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and anticipate a re-convening of the ‘All Party Meeting’ on the Inter-State Border discussions,” she said.

Further, Lyngdoh said that the Congress has a clear opinion on the solution of this 50 years pending Meghalaya-Assam border subject.

“(We also) place before the purview of the Chief Minister to also permit our views to be placed before the Border Commission in a satisfactory manner over an appropriate table, wherein our views shall be duly recorded as per procedure in such matters,” she said while asserting “It is also our opinion that all matters related to “Border Talks” should ensure that all stakeholders agree on a common approach, without politicizing the subject, in the interest of the people of Meghalaya.”

Further, she said as elected members to the Legislative Assembly it would be prudent to also initiate a similar dialogue and discussion at the level of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya in the presence of the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

“We will be pursuing this matter with utmost dedication and sincerity,” she said.

The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) is concerned particularly of the amicable solution of the long-standing resolution of the borders especially concerning “Ka Bri U Hynniew Trep” which is most at risk in this much required state discourse, in the interest of indigenous communities living along these borders, she added.