SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on November 29 said that the second phase of border talks between Assam and Meghalaya, which is aimed at resolving the remaining six areas of difference, has now become slightly complicated and could be delayed following the November 22 violence at Mukroh.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said he was expecting the second round of talks would take place within this month.
“But now with all of this happening, the situation is slightly complicated so we may not be able to go for it (talks) immediately though we still strongly feel that this is the way to move forward,” he said.
Stating that his government is committed to resolving the long pending boundary dispute with Assam, the chief minister said, “We want to work as fast as possible to resolve it because that’s the only permanent way to ensure that these kinds of incidents can be completely avoided in the future but because of the unfortunate incident that took place, circumstances have changed.”
He added, “Hence, we will have to take sometime, we will have to keep having discussion with Assam government and government of India and see when it will be appropriate to have a talk with them.”
On November 22, five Khasi villagers and one Assam forest guard were killed in a firing by the Assam Police at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills.