Dispute in six of 12 areas of difference resolved in 2022
Shillong, Aug 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has asserted his government’s accomplishments in addressing the issue of boundary dispute with Assam, saying the government broke the five-decade-old status quo by resolving six of the 12 areas of difference.
“For over 50 years, the border issue was left at status quo. In March 2022, this government signed an MoU with Assam and resolved Tarabari, Gizang and Hahim in West Khasi Hills, Boklapara and Khanapara-Pillangkata in Ri-Bhoi and Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills,” Sangma said in reply to VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit’s discussion on the party’s ten-charter demands.
On infiltration and border management, the Chief Minister said 18 Anti-Infiltration Check Posts, a Railway Facilitation Centre and Land Customs Station have been established, with District Special Squads in all 12 districts for anti-infiltration drives.
He said BSF is the first line of defence along the international border while state police at police stations, outposts and check posts forms the second line, with joint patrolling, naka checking and electronic surveillance including high-density lights.
To monitor infiltration, 12 District Task Forces have been constituted for detection of Bangladeshi nationals, monthly surprise checks are done by joint teams of magistrate, police and infiltration branch, and a state-level committee headed by Principal Secretary, Home (Political) identifies foreigners overstaying since January 1, 2011 and reports to MHA every month.
Sangma said Nokmas, headmen and Village Defence Parties are involved, awareness programmes are held, and officers regularly visit and stay in border villages.
He said alerts have been issued to districts bordering Assam in view of the recent eviction drive there, and effective checking is on along highways with help of headmen.
Persons of doubtful citizenship from Assam, Tripura and West Bengal are sent back from point of detection.
On MRSSA, 2016, he said registration has risen to 966 localities, 561 sub-localities, 1,653 landlords and 5,042 tenants from 817, 427, 1,110 and 3,297 in February 2026. Migrant workers are also registered under the 2020 Act.
On VPP’s demand to detect and deport illegal immigrants, Sangma said the Anti-Infiltration Directorate is nodal agency and from 2021 till date, 736 foreign nationals were detected and prosecuted and 262 deported after sentence and travel permits.
The government remains committed to rule of law and demographic integrity, he added.
