SHILLONG: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday said Meghalaya is awaiting official communication from Assam on the reconstitution of its regional committee before the two states can finalise a date to resume border talks.
Dhar, who heads the regional committee for West Jaintia Hills, said he had only received informal information so far.
“We have heard that Assam has reconstituted its regional committee, but we are yet to receive official communication. Once we do, the matter will be discussed by both Chief Ministers to decide when we should meet,” he told reporters.
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The Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills is yet to submit the report on villages under Block I to the state government.
“The report is yet to be received from the Deputy Commissioner. It may be ready at the district level, but it has not been submitted. We are also waiting for communication from the Assam committee,” Dhar said.
He added that once both reports are received, they will be placed before the Chief Minister and a meeting will be convened.
Dhar declined to confirm the number of villages in Block I until the report is available.
“I cannot say whether it is 50, 30 or 40. We will go by what is stated in the report submitted. We are yet to receive it,” he said.
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On whether a joint inspection of the disputed villages would be conducted, Dhar said the decision would be taken by the two Chief Ministers after the committees meet.
“We will take a call on whether a joint inspection is required once the committees decide. Let both Chief Ministers decide on that,” he said.
He said Meghalaya’s report is almost ready and will be submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office soon, but stressed that official communication from Assam is required before further steps are taken.
Dhar said the committees would determine how to resolve the remaining areas of difference, whether through retransfer, dialogue or adjustment.
“That will be decided by the committee, whether there will be a demand for retransfer, whether dialogue will take place or whether there will be an adjustment,” he said.
Responding to the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum’s demand that the 1958 ground demarcation report on Block I should not be ignored, Dhar said all stakeholders want an early resolution to the border issue.
“Everyone is demanding that the border issue be resolved at the earliest,” he said.
He added that because of claims and counterclaims in some areas, the government requires a clear report from the district administration before taking a stand.
“These are areas of difference. We hope to receive the report from the district administration and place it before the Chief Minister. Only after both committees meet can we take a call,” he said.
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Asked whether Block I and the other five pending areas would be difficult to resolve, Dhar acknowledged the long-standing nature of the dispute but expressed optimism.
“The border issue is very complicated. It has existed for more than 50 years, not just the last two weeks. Difficult does not mean impossible. It means we have to work harder, with understanding from both states and in consultation with all stakeholders. We will try to resolve it as both states are involved,” he said.
On the situation in Lapangap, Dhar said there was no tension.
“As of now, everything is okay in Lapangap. Everything is normal and people are able to go to their paddy fields as usual,” he said.
