SHILLONG:
The chief ministers of Meghalaya and Assam will meet tomorrow in Guwahati to finalise the border agreement for the first six areas of disputes along the inter-state border.
“We have updated the cabinet on the border issue and will meet the chief minister of Assam on Saturday to discuss the matter,” Sangma said after chairing a cabinet meeting on January 28, adding that he is hopeful of a final resolution on the matter.
Sangma, on January 27, had reiterated that both governments are waiting for the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to call for another joint meeting to reach a concrete solution to the issue.
“He (Shah) informed us he would call us towards the end of January or early next month,” the chief minister had said.
Addressing the press on Thursday, Sangma had added that 98 per cent of the agreement on the issue has been reached between the two chief ministers and the remaining two per cent will be decided upon in the next round of discussions with Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Under the first phase, the six areas – 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) – were taken up to settle the decades-long dispute.
Commenting on the recent opposition by the Congress on the agreements reached between the two states, Sangma slammed the party and said, “Considering they took no step to resolve the long-pending dispute, despite having the opportunity, I see no reason for the Congress to oppose our decision for a resolution.”