Interstate boundary row: Assam CM Himanta to visit Meghalaya on July 23

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on Monday, informed that the purpose of Sarma’s visit to the state is to hold further discussion on the vexed interstate boundary dispute “at a more official level”.

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SHILLONG: 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be visiting Meghalaya on July 23, a day ahead of the two-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Shillong on July 24 and 25. 

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on Monday, informed that the purpose of Sarma’s visit to the state is to hold further discussion on the vexed interstate boundary dispute “at a more official level”. 

Sangma had met his Assam counterpart on Saturday, along with a few MLAs from different political parties to “informally” discuss the boundary issue. 

“During a one-on-one meeting with the Assam CM for approximately 45 minutes, we have gone through all the areas of differences and discussed many points,” Sangma said. 

On July 23, a brief meeting will be held between the two CMs in the presence of the Assam chief secretary, principal secretary (Home) and Meghalaya chief secretary and additional chief secretary. 

“We may have some exchange of presentations and discussion and post that, we will be having an official meeting in Guwahati sometime next week and, during the visit, we will be going with the whole team,” the Meghalaya CM informed. 

Referring to the previous meeting, Sangma said both sides are keen to resolve this issue and find an amicable and acceptable solution. 

Reacting to claims over the lands made by the Assam government recently, Sangma said, “In the last 50 years, there could have been situations where there could have been movements of people from Assam or Meghalaya side but, we are here to understand the situation. Yes, we keep the facts of the past in front of us but, we need a fresh approach to this whole issue.”

Stressing on finding a practical solution, the CM argued, “If we stick too much in the past, we will not be able to move forward - to see how to balance out historical facts, the current situation and the future.”

Furthermore, he informed that the government is consulting the District Councils and holding discussions with political parties on the issue, adding that there could be joint field visits. “All of these are on the cards; we will be taking everyone on board,” he added.

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