Assam CM Sarma, Meghalaya CM Sangma Meet In Guwahati To Discuss Border, Mutual Growth

Guwahati, August 16: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma at his office here on Saturday and held discussions on various issues, including border concerns.

"We discussed a wide range of issues to strengthen the mutual growth of both our sister states," Sarma said in a social media post.

He, however, did not elaborate on the issues discussed by the two chief ministers.

The CMs had last met on June 2 and agreed to erect border pillars in five of the six disputed areas among the total 12, by Independence Day.

Border pillars were to be constructed in five areas, but not in the sixth at Pilangkata due to “differences of interpretation.” Deputy commissioners of both states were tasked with resolving the matter.

The six remaining disputed areas include Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilangkata, and Ratacherra.

The latest meeting comes amid simmering tensions in several disputed areas, particularly in Boko’s Tarabari. The Nam-Tarabari and Upper Tarabari regions, though geographically within Assam, have long been claimed by groups in Meghalaya.

On August 10, following reports of unrest, officials from both states conducted a joint survey. Kamrup Deputy Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra said the team not only surveyed the disputed areas but also interacted with residents and noted their grievances.

Meghalaya was carved out of Assam in 1972 and had challenged the Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971, leading to disputes in 12 stretches along the 884.9-km border.

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After taking charge as Assam CM in May 2021, Sarma had announced resolving boundary disputes with neighbouring states as a priority. In August 2021, three regional committees were set up to work on the issue in a phased manner.

The committees’ recommendations were handed over to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 29, 2022. The MoU resolved disputes in six of the 12 areas.

Under the agreement, 36.79 sq km of disputed land was taken up for settlement in the first phase, with Assam getting 18.51 sq km and Meghalaya 18.28 sq km.