Shillong, June 3: The second phase of border talks between Assam and Meghalaya over six remaining disputed areas is set to resume after the expansion of the Assam Cabinet, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Wednesday.
Addressing questions on the status of the regional committees, Tynsong said both states are awaiting the cabinet reconstitution in Assam before joint inspections can continue.
“On the regional committees dealing with the areas of difference between Meghalaya and Assam, we are waiting again because the expansion of the cabinet is being awaited,” Tynsong said.
He confirmed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remains committed to the process but has sought time.
“The Assam Chief Minister has already expressed his willingness to continue the talks and the inspections by both regional committees. But he requested us to wait till the expansion of the ministry is completed,” Tynsong said.
The delay, he explained, will allow proper ministerial representation.
“This is so that the ministers concerned who will be entrusted with the task can also be part of the regional committee,” he added.
The second phase covers Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Desh Doomreah, Block-I & Block-II, and Psiar-Khanduli.
Six other areas were settled in the first phase through an agreement signed in March 2022.
Both states agree to safeguard border cultivation
Meanwhile, Tynsong said Meghalaya and Assam have reached an agreement to ensure that agricultural activities along the disputed Karbi Anglong border are not disrupted, with authorities from both sides pledging to maintain a cordial atmosphere for residents.
The consensus emerged from a meeting held Tuesday attended by senior leaders and officials from both states.
“Yesterday’s meeting included all top leaders from the Karbi side, including the CEM of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and senior government officials from the Government of Assam,” Tynsong said.
The Meghalaya delegation was led by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. He said the agreement had the backing of both sides and local stakeholders.
“In the meeting yesterday, we fully agreed from both sides, and this was in the presence of headmen from Meghalaya as well as from Assam’s Karbi Anglong,” he added. Tynsong said the core of the pact is to protect livelihoods.
“The agreement is very clear. They want to ensure that cultivation activities are not stalled at any point from now on. That was the decision taken yesterday,” he said. He added that state and council authorities have given firm assurances.
“Both the state government authorities and the district council authorities have assured that the livelihood activities being carried out, and those to be carried out, by villagers of both states must be preserved at all costs. A cordial and healthy atmosphere has to prevail there — not just for a week or a month, but consistently from now on,” Tynsong said.
