Shillong, Jan 31: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said Meghalaya and Assam will continue with the second phase of border talks to resolve the remaining six areas of difference.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said, “We don’t know when the elections will be announced but our talks will continue as per our pace. Ofcourse, when elections are announced, it will become a bit of an inconvenience for everybody but we will continue the process.”
Sangma informed that he had unofficially discussed the matter with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over breakfast, last week.
“As you are aware, these kinds of discussions need to take place at an official level and a lot also takes place at an unofficial level. There are times when he and myself we sit down and really trash out the issues so the process is continuous and formal meetings are the formal part of it, but there are lots of informal discussions that…are taking place without formal meetings – so all those processes are continuing,” he added.
Areas under 2nd phase of talks
Meghalaya and Assam share 12 areas of dispute. While an agreement has been reached to resolve six areas having less complications, the remaining six areas are being taken up in the 2nd phase of talks, which began in 2023.
The six areas taken up in 2nd phase of border talks include: Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Desh Doomreah, Block 1 & Block II, and Psiar-Khanduli.
These areas have more compilations and witnesses frequent clashes between the residents along the border.
Historic pact to resolve 6 areas under Phase 1
Assam and Meghalaya had signed a boundary settlement pact in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on March 29, 2022 to resolve the 50-year-old boundary dispute in 6 of 12 areas of difference shared between the two states.
The six areas of differences resolved in the 1st phase of talks included 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). The total area is 36.79 sq kms.
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