SHILLONG: Rejecting arbitrary calculations and speculation, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has made it clear that the upcoming phase of border talks with Assam will be rooted in concrete administrative data and institutional process.
As Chairman of the Regional Committee for West Jaintia Hills, Dhar stated that while Assam has reportedly reconstituted its regional border panel, Meghalaya will hold its position until official communication is received. Once this is secured, the matter will be escalated directly to the Chief Ministers’ upcoming summit, ensuring progress through formal institutional channels rather than political guesswork.
Dhar emphasized that the government’s position will be informed by the final ground report from the District Administration, which is currently being compiled by the Deputy Commissioner. The report, still pending official submission, will form the factual basis for Meghalaya’s stance. Dhar categorically refused to speculate on the outcome or throw out percentage-based estimates regarding territorial retention, insisting that only a thorough, objective analysis of maps, findings, and local testimonies will determine the state’s approach.
This methodical strategy is warranted by the entrenched complexities and competing historical claims that define the remaining disputed sectors.
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Dhar stressed that decisions—such as whether to conduct joint field inspections—will be made collectively by the unified regional panels and both Chief Ministers, not unilaterally. All core steps, from evaluating local demands for ancestral land retransfer to broader territorial adjustments, will follow this structured administrative timeline before final recommendations reach the Chief Minister’s Office.
Addressing calls from public forums and pressure groups for a swift resolution, Dhar offered a reality check: the border dispute is a fifty-year-old issue that cannot be resolved overnight.
Nevertheless, he rejected defeatism, pledging that Meghalaya will intensify its efforts to achieve a lasting solution through mutual understanding and comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders. As for the present situation, Dhar assured that the volatile Lapangap sector remains peaceful, with residents able to farm their paddy fields without fear or outside interference.
(4FrontMedia news)
