• NET Web Desk

In a major development associated with the resolution of long-pending boundary conflicts between Assam & Meghalaya, a student body – Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) urged the Meghalaya Government to include Headmen, Dolloi, Syiem and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) into its border panel/regional committees.

Both the state governments have constituted regional committees to look into the concerned matter, and submit their respective detailed reports to the CMs – Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma.

The Union further appealed the state government to collect all important documents, and verify those before reaching to any such decision with the Assam Government.

According to Shillong Times report, JSU also suggested the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to conduct proper consultation with the state government, with an intent to revive the post of Dolloi at Labang-Nongphyllut Elaka in West Jaintia Hills, which allegedly ceased to exist after Assam ‘claimed’ the entire area.

The students’ union have also called for setting-up a police outpost at Mukroh

Re-submitting its suggestion, the JSU has called for setting up of a police outpost at Mukhroh village in West Jaintia Hills.

Based on reports submitted by these regional committees, the Assam and Meghalaya CM will take a final call on the border issue.

Its pertinent to note that border disputes between the two states exist in 12 areas, but the state governments identified six “less complicated” areas for discussion during the recent joint visit.

In case of Meghalaya, these six areas of differences include – Tarabari, Gizang and Hahim in West Khasi Hills district, Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills district, and Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilingkata in Ri Bhoi district.

Earlier, the regional committees formed by both northeastern states were tasked with the responsibility of making joint visits to the “areas of differences” along the inter-state border, thereby interacting with all stakeholders, village heads, record their views, and finally submit their reports by October 30.

But, both the cabinets then decided to extend the timing for regional committees for submitting their reports by another two to three weeks, in view of the by-polls.