Shillong: Assam says Meghalaya currently occupies 3,441.86 hectares of its territory. This figure emerged Wednesday during an assembly session in Guwahati. Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora revealed that total state land under outside occupation reaches 82,752 hectares. Four neighbouring states currently control these disputed areas.
Nagaland leads the occupation list with 59,490.21 hectares, followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 16,144.01 hectares and Mizoram at 3,675.78 hectares. Meghalaya holds the fourth spot. Beyond physical occupation, Meghalaya also claims another 2,732.14 square kilometers of Assam land. These frictions date back to the 1972 reorganization of Assam.
The two states share an 884.9-km border. It is the longest boundary Assam maintains with any neighbour. Residents in 12 disputed stretches frequently face administrative tension. In 2022, a memorandum of understanding settled conflicts in six sectors, including Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilangkata, and Ratacherra. That deal resolved 36.79 square kilometers of territory.
Progress remains slow on the remaining six sectors: Langpih, Block I, Block II, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, and Deshdoomreah. These zones involve complex forest land claims and large populations. "We have already signed bilateral agreements with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh as per the instructions of the Union Home Ministry," Bora told the Assembly. He maintains that dialogue remains the primary path forward for a final settlement.
Comments