Assam, Meghalaya to resolve boundary disputes 6 areas in first phase

Assam, Meghalaya to resolve boundary disputes 6 areas in first phase
Guwahati, August 6:  The second Chief Minister level meeting on inter-state boundary disputes held here today decided to take up six disputes areas out of the 12 in total, in the first phase for resolution of vexed inter-state boundary issues between the two states. 
The meeting which was held here as a follow-up of the first CM-level talks in Shillong on July 23, decided to adopt phase-wise approach to resolve differences in all 12 areas of differences on the inter-state boundary and in the first phase six disputed sites are being focused as the issues are less complicated in these areas.
Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma informed that in the first phase steps would be taken to resolve differences regarding six areas of differences – Tarabari, Gizang, Fahala, Baklapara, Khanapara (Pilingkata) and Ratacherra.
These areas fall under Cachar, Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan districts of Assam and Meghalaya’s districts of West Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills.
“Both the states have decided to constitute three five-member regional committees each to start working jointly to resolve differences in these areas – there will be six committees in total. Each of these committees will be headed by a Cabinet Minister of respective states and comprises of bureaucrats and civil society leaders, if required,” Assam Chief Minister Dr Sarma said.

“These committees while trying to resolve the differences will focus on aspects of historical facts, ethnicity of the areas, mood and sentiments of locals, administrative convenience of the local people and contiguity,” said Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma adding that the resolution of the boundary disputes will not be very simple.
Each of these regional committees will be given 30 days’ time to complete the task are narrowing down the existing differences as much as possible. The Chief Ministers of both the states will make visits to some of these areas of differences during these 30 days to assure the people that a sincere effort is being made to resolve the vexed problem.
Assam Chief Minister, Dr Sarma said that it was expected that these regional committees would be able to narrow down the differences to such an extent that there would be hardly anything left to do at the CMs’ level. “If the differences still persist after the efforts made by the regional committees, it will be taken up at the CMs’ level or even higher level if required. 
Assam government today made presentations regarding these six areas of differences highlighting its perspectives while Meghalaya government had made presentations on all the 12 areas of differences in the first CM level meeting held in July 23 last flagging its claim over these areas.
Both the Chief Ministers said that both the government were committed to resolve the boundary disputes amicably and as early as possible because so many people have suffered because of it over the years. They said both the states were committed to resolve the issues in respectful manner.