• Border Row Talks: CMs of Assam and Meghalaya to meet up on Wednesday

    Regional
    Border Row Talks: CMs of Assam and Meghalaya to meet up on Wednesday
    Assam and Nagaland are exploring every option to end the decades-long border dispute amicably...

    Digital Desk: The chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to continue discussions on resolving boundary disputes in the remaining six areas.

    Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that he and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma will visit the disputed districts later as a goodwill gesture.

    "The Meghalaya Chief Minister will come here tomorrow, and we will discuss finding solutions for the remaining six areas," he stated.

    Assam and Meghalaya endure a long-running conflict in 12 regions along their 884.9-kilometre interstate border.

    In March 2022, the two Northeastern states signed a memorandum of understanding in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end conflicts in six sectors.

    Meghalaya was formed from Assam in 1972 and has subsequently disputed the Assam Reorganisation Act of 1971, which Assam recognises as its border.

    Sarma stated, "We have sent our proposal to the Nagaland government and we are now waiting for their response."

    Assam and Nagaland are examining all alternatives to end the decades-long border dispute amicably, according to a statement issued by the Assam administration in New Delhi following the meeting of the two chief ministers.

    Rio subsequently told reporters that Assam and Nagaland had agreed in principle to sign an MoU on oil exploration in the disputed territories so that oil can be mined and revenues divided between the two states.

    Assam and Nagaland share a 512.1-kilometre border, which has been a source of contention since the formation of the adjoining state in 1963 and is currently before the Supreme Court for settlement.