SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has reconstituted three Regional Committees to examine the status of the remaining areas of difference along the Meghalaya-Assam border and submit their findings within 45 days. A notification issued by the Home (Political) Department on June 30 said the committees will cover Langpih in West Khasi Hills district, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdemoreah and Block-II in Ri-Bhoi district, and Block-I and Psiar-Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills district.
The committees will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong for Ri-Bhoi, Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh for West Khasi Hills and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar for West Jaintia Hills. Cabinet ministers, local MLAs, representatives from the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils and the respective Deputy Commissioners have also been included as members. According to the notification, the committees will coordinate with their counterparts in Assam, verify village records claimed by both states, establish the geographical location of villages, examine population details, prepare an “as-is” public asset register and interact with local residents, elected representatives and other stakeholders.
The committees have also been tasked with documenting the distance of villages from the nearest public service delivery points and administrative units before submitting their reports. The notification states that the reports must be submitted to the Meghalaya government within 45 days from the date of the notification.
The findings will be based on agreed parameters, including historical perspective, ethnicity of the local population, administrative convenience, contiguity with the interstate boundary and the views of the people living in the disputed areas.
The reconstitution of the committees marks the next step in the ongoing Meghalaya-Assam border resolution process, with both states expected to continue discussions on the remaining areas of difference based on the committees’ recommendations.
