Shillong MP Vincent Pala writes to PM Modi on border disputes in Northeast

SHILLONG: 

Lok Sabha MP from Shillong Vincent H Pala has shot a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention into the recurring border skirmishes between Meghalaya and Assam, stressing the urgent need to establish cordial relations and resolve such disputes in a timely manner. 

In a letter dated July 29, Pala said the recent occurrences in the North-East have once again highlighted the violent clashes and disputes over inter-state boundaries that have threatened the peace and stability of the region for decades now.

"It is widely acknowledged that, excluding the princely states of Tripura and Manipur, all other states have a long boundary dispute with Assam. This has also given rise to disputes over land, forest resources and ethnic clashes, and can be seen in relations of Assam viz-a-viz states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya," he pointed out. 

However, he observed that for reasons best known to the present BJP-led Government of Assam, "such conflicts have not only been on the rise but have also taken a much more aggressive turn."

"Consequently, a sense of fear, insecurity and alarm is perceived among the residents of these border areas. We have covered a long way in neutralising certain violent and disturbing threats to the peace of the region and such apprehensions do not augur well for the progress that has been made," the Shillong MP said.

He observed that provocations and aggressive posturing at the borders of smaller states are perilous to healthy neighbourly relations.

"The progress of the region has been fought for long and hard, and it would be a matter of great regret to let that wither away. I earnestly hope that this matter is taken up urgently so as to establish cordial relations and resolve such disputes in a timely manner," Pala wrote. 

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

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