Assam-Meghalaya boundary dispute: Himanta and Conrad agree to move beyond 'status quo'

By Ibankyntiew Mawrie

SHILLONG: 

The chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya have decided to move beyond the status quo in addressing the vexed interstate boundary dispute and to adopt a pragmatic approach in resolving this long-pending issue. 

Addressing a joint press conference in Shillong on Friday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in view of the contradictory stand, claims and counterclaims by both the states, "it is important to resolve this issue in the spirit of 'give and take', considering the long-standing friendship between Meghalaya and Assam and also in order to keep the spirit of Northeast alive."

He also said that the 12 areas of differences identified by Meghalaya will be revisited and reassessed, one by one. "It may not be possible to resolve the entire dispute at the same time, but definitely, we can start from some point and one by one, we will keep on resolving these disputes," he added. 

While stating that unlike the previous meetings where the outcome would only end at 'maintaining the status quo', the Assam CM said, "Now, we have come to a common understanding that we need to travel beyond that and work towards a solution while maintaining the status quo."

Similarly, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma said the issue has been pending for too long and border people have been suffering as there have been cases of differences and violence as a result of which, the border villagers have not been able to stay in peace and receive the development that they deserve.

"We have decided that no longer will we look at status quo as the outcome of the meeting but we will try to change that and find the solution to this issue," Sangma said. 

While stating that the process will require time, the Meghalaya CM said, "It is not very simple. One should not expect that we will be able to resolve the issue that has been pending for too long in a matter of days - it will require a lot of consultation and homework and we also need to look at the current situation of the locations." 

Sangma also maintained that depending totally on history and documents of the past may not be the best approach and while factual data is important, there is also a need to look at other ways to move forward and find a practical solution to the problem. 

"We will work on the areas of differences, one by one, and officials have already started the process," he added. 

Commenting on developmental activities in the border areas, the Assam CM said, "Status quo will be maintained with regards to developmental activities and administrative control in these 12 areas of differences."

When asked about the "give and take" policy, Sarma clarified that post-assessment, depending on the territorial situation, both states would appreciate each other's position and whenever the boundary is required to be redrawn, it will be done so. 

"If necessary, we will go to all the 12 sites together to review the situation. I am convinced that we will be able to resolve this issue," Sarma added. 

The Assam Chief Minister has invited his Meghalaya counterpart to visit Guwahati in August 6 to start the second round of discussion on the issue. 

It may be mentioned that this is the maiden of Himanta Biswa Sarma to Shillong ever since he assumed the office of the Chief Minister of Assam. 

The interstate boundary issue is also one of the main agendas which will be taken up for discussion with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his two-day visit to Meghalaya on July 24 and 25.

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