SHILLONG : Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) president KP Pangniang has urged the Meghalaya government to immediately initiate the second phase of border talks with Assam, saying there should be no further excuses to delay the process.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Pangniang said he had so far accepted the explanations given by the government for the delay, including the upcoming Assam elections, the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election and recent political developments in Meghalaya.

He also cited the resignation of West Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council chairman Metbah Lyngdoh as one of the developments that had contributed to the delay.

However, Pangniang said these reasons should no longer be used to postpone the negotiations.

“These are the reasons, but from now onwards we should not delay. Maybe there will be an MP election, but there should be no more reason to start the talks,” he said.

Emphasising the need to resolve the remaining border disputes, Pangniang said the present government, which the HSPDP supports, should take responsibility for completing the second phase of negotiations.

He said the government should carry forward the work initiated during Phase-I and ensure that the remaining issues are addressed before its tenure ends.

“I firmly believe that, as we support this government, the timing is for this present government to complete what remains, just as they completed Phase-I,” Pangniang said.