Shillong, Dec 16: The Opposition parties All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Congress skipped the crucial consultative meeting of stakeholders chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday to resolve the vexed Assam – Meghalaya boundary dispute, which was attended by KHADC and JHADC, political parties, traditional heads and members of the civil society organizations.

Reacting to the absence of the opposition MLAs from the crucial meeting, PHE Minister and HSPDP leader Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, who also headed the regional committee for West Khasi Hills, expressed shock.

“In fact I expect the opposition to be with us as they have lots of experiences and they may be able to give us good inputs and discuss with the government but they have not come to this meeting, which I think the reason is best known to them,” he said.

Urging the opposition not to unnecessarily criticize the steps taken by the state government, Tongkhar said, “ I hope they understand the seriousness of this matter as they know it is very important and I wish they will cooperate as this benefits both the states.”

The minister further informed that the meeting also resolved to urge all concerned to stand united on this issue.

So far, only two of the three regional committees have submitted their respective reports to the chief minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed that the regional committee for East Jaintia Hills is expected to submit its report by next week.

He also stated that the state government has accepted the views and suggestions given by different stakeholders on the issue.

On the demand for making public the reports of the border panels, the deputy chief minister, however, said, “Let the two chief ministers sit down and ultimately once the decision is taken we will make it (reports) public. But right now we cannot do that…as we are not supposed to put it in the public domain.”

Resolving the issue within December unlikely

When asked if the six areas of difference can be resolved within this month, Tongkhar said, “I must appreciate the steps taken by CM to talk to Assam CM and we hope that if we can get same response we may be able to solve some of the villages or sectors. But I cannot assure you anything, let the talk take place between the two governments. But from our side, we would want that to happen as a Christmas gift to some of the villages if we can agree to solve and decide within this month itself.”

BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said that the party has suggested that since Meghalaya is going to celebrate its 50th year of statehood, this is the right time to resolve the boundary dispute once and for all.