Assam and Meghalaya to resolve border dispute in 6 areas by Jan 15

GUWAHATI: In a major development in the inter-state border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday decided to resolve six of the 12 inter-state border disputes before January 15.

Meghalaya's Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that Wednesday's meeting was a "productive" and "good" meeting.

"The meeting has decided that the regional committees formed by both the states will submit their reports to the respective Chief Ministers by December 31. After that, both the CMs will meet again and by January 15 we are hopeful of resolving the disputes in the six locations," Mr Tynsong told the media after the meeting.

The disputed locations in question along the Assam-Meghalaya border are Tarabari, Gizang, Boklapara, Pillangkata, Ratacherra, and Hahim.

Informing about the meeting, CM Sarma tweeted, "We have been continuously striving to resolve border issues with our neighbours. As part of our effort, held a meeting with my Meghalaya counterpart Shri Conrad K. Sangma along with Deputy CM Meghalaya Shri Prestone Tynsong & several ministers and senior officers of both states."

"Our regional committees have submitted their reports and we are working towards final agreement on many disputed border areas. I am confident that gradually we will be able to resolve all-long pending border issues with Meghalaya and other neighbouring states," Sarma said.

Assam has border disputes with Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Assam's border dispute cases with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are before the Supreme Court but there are no cases on the inter-state disputes with Meghalaya and Mizoram.