SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said that Meghalaya and Assam governments are waiting for the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to again call a joint meeting to finalise the border agreement on the six areas of difference between the two states.
“He (Shah) has already told us that he would call us towards the end of this month or early next month and we will wait for that,” Sangma told reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting here.
He informed that almost 98 per cent of the agreement has been reached.
According to him, another round of sitting with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma will be held in the next few days to iron out the remaining issues.
“We are hopeful that in the next sitting (of the two states), we will come to a final understanding,” Sangma said while asserting, “We would like to come to a conclusion on all the six areas of difference before our meeting with the Home minister.”
He informed that the cabinet today was briefed about these developments and discussions also took place on those aspects.
The six areas of difference under the first phase include Tarabari (4.69 sq km), Gizang (13.53 sq km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Boklapara (1.57 sq kms), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq kms) and Ratacherra (11.20 sq kms).
On the recent opposition raised by the Congress, the chief minister said there was no reason for the party to do that. He also reminded that Congress had failed to take any step to resolve the long-pending dispute despite having the opportunity to do so for many years.
“It is only now that we are taking some steps and I have been very clear in my stand that past governments have also done their part so I am not trying to play politics or take credit. I am saying it has been a continuous process and all have played their part,” Sangma said.
“At this point, the Congress should realise that there is a process of moving forward and this needs a resolution and there is very strong support from the public too. So I think one should not get into politics and try to see the greater good of the people and the states,” he further asserted.