SHILLONG : Cabinet Minister and MDA government spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla on Tuesday said the Meghalaya government will resume border talks with Assam now that elections in the neighbouring state are over, while expressing hope for a mutual settlement to the ongoing Lapangap issue.
Speaking to reporters, Shylla said incidents related to the border dispute were not new and recalled that similar tensions had taken place in the past.
“This is not happening for the first time. Earlier too several incidents had taken place and we had approached the Assam government,” he said.
The minister said the MDA government remains committed to resolving the interstate boundary dispute completely.
“Out of the 12 areas of difference, six have already been resolved while the remaining six are very sensitive,” he stated.
Referring to earlier incidents in Lapangap, Shylla said local farmers had previously faced restrictions during harvesting season but the matter was later resolved through discussions between both governments.
“Last time also during the harvest season they were not allowed to harvest their crops. After talks between both governments, they were finally allowed,” he said.
On the present situation in Lapangap, the minister said negotiations are ongoing and officials from both states are maintaining communication.
“Our DC and SP are in close contact with each other,” he added.
However, Shylla alleged that the Karbi Anglong side, especially the Karbi Anglong District Council, has repeatedly changed its position during discussions.
“The thing is, especially from the Karbi Anglong side, they keep changing their statements again and again,” he said.
He further stated that even after verbal understandings are reached, the stand changes within hours.
“We may come to a verbal agreement but within hours they say they cannot proceed with it. That is the challenge we are facing right now,” Shylla added.
The minister also informed that border talks had temporarily stopped because of elections in Assam.
“There was an election in Assam and because of that the talks had stopped. Now that the election is over and a government is in place, talks and negotiations will resume again,” he said.
Shylla expressed optimism that both states would eventually arrive at a mutual agreement.
“Let us hope that we will come up with a mutual agreement or a solution on this,” he said.
Reiterating the Meghalaya government’s stand, Shylla said the objective from the beginning has been to resolve all 12 areas of difference completely.
“Our commitment from day one has been to solve all the areas of difference. That remains our aim and goal,” he stated.
At the same time, he admitted that the remaining disputed areas are difficult to settle because of the concerns of people residing there.
“It is not easy, especially considering the people living in those areas, but the government remains committed to dialogue,” he said.
Shylla added that continuous discussions between both governments would eventually help in finding a practical and peaceful solution to the long-pending border dispute.