Assam and Meghalaya Border Talks Poised for Next Round

Shillong: Border negotiations between Assam and Meghalaya will restart as soon as Assam finalizes its regional committees. Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar pushed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to hurry the process during a recent meeting at the Behdienkhlam festival in Jowai. The talks remain stalled until both states appoint their teams.

Meghalaya already finished its homework. The state assembled three regional committees to assess six disputed areas along the border. Dhar leads the West Jaintia Hills group. Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Metbah Lyngdoh head the teams for Ri Bhoi and West Khasi Hills. They have a tight deadline. The committees must file findings within 45 days. They need to verify village claims, study demographics, and talk to locals. Dhar stated, "The next round of border negotiations will be scheduled after both states have constituted their respective regional committees." These reports will dictate Meghalaya's strategy in the second phase of the boundary dispute.