Newmai News Network
Shillong | June 14
The regional committees of both Assam and Meghalaya today decided to work out a formula to amicably resolve the areas of difference under Block I and Khanduli-Psiar. Both the regional committees have resolved to submit the report to their respective state governments by August.
The decisions were taken at the first joint meeting held between the regional committee for West Jaintia Hills led by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and the regional committee for West Karbi Anglong District led by Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika at the State Convention Centre here.
Addressing the media, Dhar said, “Today is the first meeting of the regional committees from Meghalaya and Assam side. We will now start working out the formula for resolving the border issue.”
“In the days to come, members of the respective regional committees from both sides will start to decide in the field and will come out with a report in a few weeks,” he added.
On the border panels to conduct a joint visit to the areas of difference, Dhar said that the chief ministers of both states have already decided to soon conduct a joint visit to these areas. “However, as far as the regional committees are concerned, our target is to submit the report to the (respective) state governments by August. So maybe in the last week of July, we will have to conduct a visit (to the border areas),” he said.
Further, Dhar informed that the two border committees are yet to decide on the give-and-take policy and said, “Let us go to the field, we will listen to the people and everything will be solved amicably from both the states.”
On the demand of the 36 villages under Block I to ensure they fall within the Meghalaya territory, the Deputy Chief Minister however said, “We have not mentioned anything about 30-40 villages as the exercise is yet to start so maybe we will come with the actual figure in the next meeting. Khanduli is different. We will see the first low-hanging fruits.”
Meanwhile, the regional committees have also decided to meet again next month.
