Shillong:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on March 7, said that 30 of the 36 disputed villages along the interstate border of Meghalaya and Assam will remain with the state, following reports compiled by regional committees of the two states.
Addressing the House on the second day of the budget session, Sangma said that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between the two states on the same, which will furthermore ensure that no new disputed areas — apart from the 12 identified areas — are taken into consideration in the future.
Sangma said that he will also be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 9 to take up the MoU for priority consideration.
The 30 villages which will stay with Meghalaya are spread over an area of 18 sq. km. Villages that will stay with Assam cover an area of 18.9 sq. km.
“All eight villages claimed by Meghalaya in the Tarabari area will remain in the state. In Gizang of West Khasi Hills district, two of three claimed villages will remain under our administrative control,” Sangma said, adding that ownership of land will not be affected following boundary demarcation.
In the Hahim area, the chief minister said that Meghalaya will get 11 of 12 claimed villages, while in the Ri-Bhoi district, Boklapara will remain in Meghalaya and Jumrigaon will go to Assam.
Sangma further added that in Patharkuchi, areas inhabited by Meghalayans, which have a heavy cultural inclination towards the state, will remain in the state. In Maikuli area, Mawmari Beel will remain in Assam, while the graveyard area will be in Meghalaya, he said.
In Khanapara-Pilangata area, parts of Pilangata, Barapathar and Maikoli will stay with Meghalaya, while Assamese-inhabited areas of Khanapara and Dreamland Resort will go to Assam. Areas including the whole of Brahmaputra Realtors will stay with Meghalaya, he added. Malidor, Ratacherra and Umpyrdet, in East Jaintia Hills district, will remain with Meghalaya while two villages will go to Assam.
Sangma further added that the Survey of India will carry out accurate mapping of the areas using special technologies in the presence of representatives of both Assam and Meghalaya.