Shillong, July 18: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who chairs the state’s regional committee on the interstate border issue in Ri-Bhoi district, said on Friday that he has yet to receive a date from his Assam counterparts for the much-anticipated joint inspection of disputed areas.

“I am yet to get the date from my counterpart. In Ri-Bhoi, I think they have two or three chairpersons from the Assam side, whereas from our side, I am the only chairman. So, I am waiting for the date to be indicated by them,” Tynsong told reporters.

He hinted that the upcoming Assam Assembly elections could further delay the inspection.

“Since elections are due next year in Assam, I don’t know whether they’ll be able to spare their valuable time for the joint inspection. I’m still awaiting their reply,” he added.

Despite the uncertainty, Tynsong said Meghalaya is fully prepared to proceed.

“From our side, we are ready. We want the inspection to be held at any time. Of course, during the monsoon, there may be some difficulties, but perhaps towards the end of September, once the rains are over, we can move forward. Even from Assam’s side, I believe they are also ready,” he said.

On the long-standing demand by residents in Block I and Block II who wish to be part of Meghalaya, Tynsong referred to historical government records.

“If you talk about Block I and Block II, the history is well known. If you refer to the 1950 government notification, it clearly states that certain portions were transferred to Karbi Anglong. What we are asking is for those areas to be retransferred back to Meghalaya. That is the main issue under discussion,” he explained.

Tynsong acknowledged that overlapping claims from communities along the border—particularly the Pnar and Karbi populations—continue to complicate the matter.

“Sometimes people say a particular area belongs to Meghalaya; others claim it belongs to Assam. This problem will persist unless both regional committees sit and discuss these matters thoroughly,” he noted.

He made a strong appeal for peace and restraint on both sides.

“My request to both sides—Meghalaya and Assam—is to maintain the status quo. I urge the concerned villages to create a conducive atmosphere.

These are communities that have lived together for generations, so we must avoid unnecessary tension,” Tynsong said.

The Deputy CM added that while coordination at the official level is ongoing, only the regional committees and the Chief Ministers of both states can take a final decision on the boundary.

“The district administrations and SPs are coordinating well, but they don’t have the authority to decide whether an area belongs to Meghalaya or Assam. Only after a joint inspection and mutual agreement between both Chief Ministers can a final decision be made,” he said.

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