Shillong, Mar 4: Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik has re-asserted the government’s commitment to resolve the long pending border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya to usher peace and development for the citizens living in border areas.
Delivering his address on the first day of the Assembly’s Budget Session here on Friday, Malik said towards this goal and with a firm resolve to end this dispute, the Chief Ministers of both the states have had several meetings in the last 6 months wherein it was decided to first take up 6 of the 12 areas of difference i,e Tarabai, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata and Ratacherra.
He said the Regional Committees headed by Cabinet Ministers have made field visits and joint inspection for these 6 areas with their counterpart Regional Committees from Assam. They also consulted with the people living in the villages, the traditional heads, district councils and all other stakeholders.
He also informed that both the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya met the Union Home Minister on January 20 in New Delhi. Further, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by both the Chief Ministers on January 29 at Guwahati which has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further examination.
“We are confident and hopeful the border issue in the 6 areas of difference will be resolved soon,” Malik said.
Peace talks with HNLC
The Governor also assured that the government is committed to ensure that peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) reaches its logical conclusion.
He said the HNLC has written to the state government expressing its willingness for unconditional talks within the framework of the Constitution of India. He said the state government welcomes this move and has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to take this process forward.
Stating that this is a major development towards bringing about lasting peace in the state, Malik said, “My government is committed to ensure that peace talk reaches its logical conclusion.”
In addition, he also informed that the overall law and order situation in the state was peaceful during 2021, and that the safety of citizens, peace and security are necessary for development.
Informing that there were few incidents of IED blasts triggered, he said attempts were made to disturb the peace in Shillong city. However, the situation was addressed, and police acted swiftly and effectively to arrest the culprits involved.
All national days were observed in a befitting manner keeping in mind the 75th year of independence of our country and 50th year of statehood. All socio-cultural and religious festivals were celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety, he added.
