SHILLONG:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on May 16, informed that he had been in constant touch with his Assam counterpart on issues concerning the border disputes.
His statement comes in the wake of a clash that broke out between two communities was at Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills district over restrictions to enter the Khanduli market last week. The residents have been opposing the setting up of a toll gate by officials of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
“We are going to meet in a couple of weeks, before the month end and we have decided together that joint visits will be made to these sensitive zones to build up the confidence of the people and ensure that we ask the respective district administrations, citizens and officials concerned to restrain from any action that could lead to tense situations,” the chief minister said.
Asserting that border skirmishes have been taking place for the last 50 years, Sangma said the reason why the border talks are going on is to ensure that these kinds of incidents don’t take place in future.
“We are working with that objective in mind. Today these incidents are taking place because there is area of differences. So it is more important for us to find a solution at the earliest so that such incidents don’t happen in future,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar has directed the immediate setting up of a peace committee to restore peace and harmony at Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills District.