SHILLONG, MAY 17: Meghalaya and Assam will hold the second phase of border talks on May 24, to find an amicable solution to resolve the remaining six areas of difference between the two states.
“The chief minister of Assam and myself and committee members are expected to meet on the 24th of this month so that will be the first meeting in Guwahati. We are still waiting for a full confirmation but tentatively both have agreed. The logistics are being worked out and if everything falls into place, we are expected to meet on the 24th of this month,†Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters on Wednesday.
He informed that the meeting will be followed by a joint visit to Block I and Block II by both the chief ministers to send a message of confidence and a message of peace besides a message of restraint from both sides including administration.
“These are the steps and measures in which we are taking,†Sangma said.
Referring to the recent clash at Khanduli village in West Jaintia Hills, the chief minister said, “Yes, incidents happened and we are very concerned about them. We appealed for peace and harmony in these areas but ultimately in order to ensure that we are able to find permanent peace there, the solution to this border issue is the only way forward.â€
On whether the government will stop Assam from setting up the toll gate at Khanduli, Sangma said, “Many incidents are happening, many actions taken from both sides which are not going too well with the other side and hence the confidence building from both chief ministers going to this location is precisely with that objective to build up the confident and as I said to send a positive message of peace and also serious message that we want the solution to happen and also to ensure that we ask the administration to restrain from any kind of activity which would further instigate the situation.â€
