Shillong: Assam and Meghalaya are heading back to the negotiating table. The two states want to settle their long-standing border dispute. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the plan this week in Jowai. He did not set a specific date for the meetings.
Sarma downplayed any ongoing tension between the neighbors. "There is no friction between us. We are talking amicably and we will soon again talk," he said. The states are now organizing the second phase of discussions for the six remaining disputed areas.
This work follows a 2022 deal. Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding in front of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to clear up conflict in six other sectors. The remaining areas are more complicated to settle. Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar expects field visits to start soon.
The border line stretches 884.9 kilometers. Official records from Assam show a significant land gap remains. Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora told the state assembly that Meghalaya currently occupies over 3,400 hectares of Assam land across five districts.
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