As part of confidence building measure and to bring a lasting solution to the decade old interstate border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, chief ministers of both the state visited Lower Lumpi under Kamrup district of Assam on November 16.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma held a discussion at Lumpi and also attended a public meeting.
Addressing the local people of Lumpi area, chief minister Sarma said that both the state governments have been making concerted efforts during last six months for a lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the longstanding interstate border dispute. Sarma said both the governments would be able to resolve all issues between the two states.
Sarma added that after taking charge as the chief minister of Assam, he visited Shillong and discussed the interstate border issue with his Meghalaya counterpart after which another chief minister-level meeting was held on August 6 at Guwahati wherein both the governments agreed to settle the issue in an amicable manner through dialogue. He said that while there are 12 disputed areas between Assam and Meghalaya, presently six places have been taken up in first phase for resolution.
He also assured the people that Lumpi would be taken up in second phase for discussion. Moreover, he said that both the governments tentatively decided to implement central government schemes at Lumpi area with collective approach of the deputy commissioners of Kamrup and West Khasi Hills districts in consultation with public representatives of both sides.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, while speaking on the occasion, said that due to the longstanding border dispute, people living at the disputed border areas immensely suffered during last 50 years and keeping this in view, both the governments came forward to settle the issue through dialogue. He lamented the fact that earlier no government took such committed efforts for settlement of border dispute. He also said that both the chief ministers visited Lumpi in a bid to boost the confidence of the people living at the area.
Addressing a joint press conference in Guwahati, the chief ministers said that the border committees set up earlier to hammer out solutions will submit their reports by November 30.
“The committees will present reports before their respective state governments, which will then talk to the stakeholders. After that, a clear picture will emerge and a final statement will be issued,” CM Sangma said.
