Shillong, May 19: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister and government spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla on Tuesday said the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government remains committed to resolving the long-pending border dispute with Assam through dialogue and mutual agreement.
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| Wailadmiki Shylla addressing the media on fresh tensions in Lapangap and the ongoing Meghalaya-Assam border dispute in Shillong on Tuesday. (Image: facebook.com/MeghalayaAssemblyChannel) |
Speaking to reporters following fresh tension in the Lapangap area along the Meghalaya-Assam border on Monday, Shylla said such incidents were not new and similar flare-ups had occurred in the past as well.
Fresh tensions resurfaced in Lapangap after local farmers were allegedly stopped from cultivating paddy fields they claim to have farmed for generations. The situation prompted the Meghalaya government to deploy a large contingent of Meghalaya Police personnel, including commandos, to maintain law and order in the border village.
Several pressure groups, including the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), West Jaintia Hills unit, have accused the government of failing to find a lasting solution to the dispute. Representatives of the organisations also alleged that they were obstructed by Assam Police personnel while attempting to visit the affected area in solidarity with local farmers.
Earlier, residents of Lapangap, including villagers, women, elders and farmers, had staged a march to the Secretariat and submitted a memorandum to the Meghalaya government seeking immediate intervention to protect their rights, security and livelihoods.
Shylla stated that out of the 12 areas of difference between Meghalaya and Assam, six had already been resolved during the first phase of border talks under the MDA government.
“From the day we started negotiations with the Assam government, our commitment has been to completely resolve all the 12 areas of difference,” he said.
The minister said negotiations regarding the latest situation in Lapangap were ongoing, with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police from both states maintaining close contact to prevent further escalation.
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However, he expressed concern over the stance of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, alleging that verbal agreements reached during discussions often changed within hours, making negotiations difficult.
He further stated that talks on the border issue had temporarily slowed due to elections in Assam, but expressed hope that discussions would resume with the formation of the new government there.
The Meghalaya government reiterated its belief that a reasonable and lasting solution could be achieved through continued dialogue and mutual understanding between the two states.
