Guwahati, Sept 29: The second phase of border negotiations between Assam and Meghalaya is scheduled to resume in October after a months-long pause. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirmed this on Friday, attributing the earlier delay to the intricate nature of the discussions surrounding six disputed areas.
Sangma stressed the importance of thorough discussions on the contentious regions, stating, “We need to address every detail in these areas comprehensively.” He also mentioned that he has been in regular contact with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, noting several recent informal meetings on the issue.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, however, previously blamed the delay on the Assam Boundary Committee, citing a lack of cooperation, especially over the committee’s failure to inspect the disputed Langpih area.
The second phase of talks will cover six disputed regions, including Langpih in the West Khasi Hills, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdoomreah, Block-II in Ri Bhoi, and Block-I, Psiar-Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills.
This dialogue follows a March 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that resolved border issues in six out of 12 disputed areas. The Union Home Ministry had announced that about 70% of the boundary issues between Assam and Meghalaya were settled through the agreement. Both states have since set up three regional committees to review and report on the status of the remaining six areas.
