Meghalaya minister-in-charge public health engineering (PHE), Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on January 6 expressed optimism that the boundary dispute with Assam in six locations will be resolved before Meghalaya celebrates its 50th year of statehood on January 21.
Tongkhar, who is heading the regional committee on inter-state boundary dispute for West Khasi Hills region, was in Guwahati on January 5 for discussion with his counterpart in Assam on the issue. The two regional committees had also met on December 30, 2021.
“I can’t say up to what percentage we can solve this difference but we are trying hard to reduce to the minimum areas of differences. If not all but to some extent, there will be a solution before we celebrate the 50th year of Meghalaya’s statehood,” he told journalists.
Stating that things are positive, Tongkhar however said he cannot disclose any further on the matter but “there will be an agreement and settlement.”
“In some places which we do not settle, we may agree to disagree,” he added.
The minister said that the meeting held between the two regional committees was to help both the chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya understand better the areas before taking a final decision.
He said both the committees have already submitted their respective reports and recommendations. “It all depends on the (two) chief ministers,” he added.
Tongkhar also informed that the committee has also exchanged their reports.
“We have submitted our report to them and they have given their report to us. We have examined and I am happy to say that whatever findings we had in the joint visit, they have accordingly written in their report… it does tally with our findings,” he further said.
