SHILLONG: MDA Government Spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Weiladmiki Shylla has expressed deep concern over the prevailing unrest and lack of peace along the interstate border.
He specifically blamed the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) for frequently backtracking on its statements and principles, which has severely disrupted the peace and security of residents in the Lapangap area, despite the Meghalaya government’s continuous efforts to maintain tranquility in these regions.
Reflecting on the recent incident at Lapangap, Shylla stated that this is not an isolated event, as several similar confrontations have occurred in the past.
In every instance, the Meghalaya government has actively engaged and held discussions with the Assam government to defuse tensions.
He recalled that under the MDA administration, proactive measures were initiated to resolve the long-standing boundary dispute.
Out of the 12 areas of difference, six have already been successfully resolved, while the remaining six are currently pending.
Shylla pointed out that in the past, border residents were frequently obstructed from cultivating their crops.
However, following the intervention and direct talks initiated by the Meghalaya government with the Assam administration, farmers were eventually able to return to their agricultural fields safely.
The Minister emphasized that bilateral dialogue is still ongoing, with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from both states maintaining close coordination on the ground.
Despite this, the primary obstacle remains the inconsistent stance of the authorities in Karbi Anglong, particularly the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, who frequently shift their commitments and principles, as recently witnessed in Lapangap.
Shylla further explained that the momentum of the border talks faced a temporary setback due to the recently concluded elections in Assam, which necessitated a brief pause in the negotiations.
Now that the election process is complete and the new government has assumed office, the Meghalaya government is set to resume the border resolution talks with the Assam government. He expressed optimism that both states would achieve a mutually acceptable understanding and a permanent resolution.
He reiterated that from the very beginning of the border settlement process, the MDA government’s primary goal and commitment has been to completely resolve the dispute across all 12 areas of difference.
Concluding his statement, Shylla acknowledged that arriving at a final decision is exceptionally challenging, particularly when it involves balancing the sentiments and welfare of the people residing right along the border.
While admitting that the process is far from easy, he reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to sustained dialogue, expressing strong faith that meticulous and peaceful discussions will ultimately yield a positive and lasting settlement.
