Second round of Meghalaya-Assam border talks in April: Conrad

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 22, 2023

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday informed that the state government has reconstituted the regional committees and that a second round of border talks with Assam will take place in April.  

Replying to a special motion in the Assembly, Sangma said, “In April, we will initiate the first round of talks.”

He informed that the regional committee for Ri Bhoi district will be headed by deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, West Jaintia Hills by another deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and West Khasi Hills by Paul Lyngdoh.

Sangma said that the regional committees will be asked to have a detailed discussion with all stakeholders to really understand the points and concerns of the people living in the border areas.

“We will have a deep consultation and we will take all stakeholders (including autonomous district councils, different heads and others) into confidence before we decide on how to move forward on this,” the CM said.

He said that the issue is indeed a very complex situation and appeal to the members to keep the larger picture in mind and to avoid negative mindset.

 “We must go with open minds sticking to our demands and not compromise the interest of the people.”

On the allegation of the VPP leader Ardent M Basaiawmoit, Sangma said it would be incorrect for the VPP leader to say that the MDA government is making claims and not giving credits to the past governments and their contributions towards the border issue.

He said he has always thanked the past governments and former chief ministers for their contributions towards the border issue.

He said that the issue requires a political willand the MDA government had that political will and according took the talks forward. 

He said 32 meetings were held between the two states since 1971 and of these 10 meetings were held at the chief ministers’ level in the past five years from 2018 to 2022.  This led to the signing of the MoU which resolved the first six areas of difference shared between the two states.

The CM also said that his government is clear that it will go ahead with the MoU.