SHILLONG, MAY 21: Resolution of the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute will ultimately depend on the chief ministers of both states, Cabinet Minister Timothy D Shira said Thursday, while noting that tensions are not uniform along the entire boundary.
“Some differences are there among the people of the border region,” Shira said.
“I don’t know what is the reason why people living on the Assam side and Meghalaya side, there are always disputes, claims and counter claims.”
Distancing himself from the ongoing negotiations, the minister said, “That will depend on the decision of both the chief ministers of the two states. I have nothing to say about it because I am not involved as member in the border committee. I don’t know anything about it.”
Shira contrasted the situation with his own constituency, which also adjoins Assam.
“I also belong to the border area with Assam. In our area, there is no dispute,” he said. “People from the Assam side, they are coming and… people are living in complete brotherhood feeling. There is no differences.”
He added that cross-border cultivation has long been routine there. “Mostly people living in Meghalaya, they are cultivating in the land belonging to Assam. We are paying tax since British time,” Shira said.
Asked if the same model could work in conflict-prone areas like Lapangap, he said it comes down to community will.
“It depends on the sentiments of the people, if they can cooperate with each other, if they can establish good relationship, it is a different thing altogether. Maybe there is some reason why there is always dispute there,” he said.
The two states have been engaged in phased talks to settle 12 disputed areas along the 884.9-km border, with six areas resolved under a 2022 agreement.
