'Assam, Meghalaya set to end border disputes'

GUWAHATI: The Assam and Meghalaya governments on Sunday resolved to go ahead and settle the border disputes in the last six disputed sites that fall under three districts of Meghalaya, as claimed by the neighbouring state.
In March, both the states came to an understanding and resolved disputes in first six of the 12 disputed areas along the inter-state border between the two states in a meeting in presence of Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
"We resolved six sites of difference in the past and six left to be resolved. The process started with less complicated sites. Now, we have made a decision to work on the remaining six disputed sites that are a little complicated," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said after an hour-long discussion with his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma held in the city.
Like last time, he said it was decided to form three regional committees each by both governments, to be headed by one cabinet minister from both the states. Once the three regional panels are notified by both the governments within 15 days, the chairman of the committees will meet, visit the sites and attempt to resolve the disputes according to the broader parameters laid at the time of deciding the disputes in the first phase.
"We have decided that the regional committee that will visit the disputed sites in Karbi Anglong, will also have representatives from Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). From the Assam side, we will include KAAC representatives," Sarma said. Three disputed sites, from Assam point of view, fall under the hill district of Karbi Anglong. The second phase is complicated as KAAC and areas like Langpih witnessed violent clashes in the past.
On August 8, 2011, Meghalaya government raised 12 disputed sites and handed over the maps to the Assam government.
Conrad told mediapersons that the process of finding a final resolution to the entire border dispute will continue. He said mainly Psiar, Khanduli, Block I and II, Langpih and Borduar among the six areas of difference will be taken up during second phase discussions.