Shillong, Sept 26: The state government has formed three regional committees to examine the present status of the remaining six areas of difference with Assam.
The panels will have to submit the reports within 45 days.
The areas to be examined include Langpih in West Khasi Hills District, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdoomreah, Block-II in Ri Bhoi district and Block-I, Psiar-Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills district.
Border deal for the first phase was signed between Assam and Meghalaya on March 29 this year after examining the six areas of difference- Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara- Philippa and Ratacherra. However, the deal was not free from criticism.
A notification issued by the Chief Secretary DP Wahlang on Monday said.the six-member regional committee for Ri Bhoi District will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, regional committee for West Khasi Hills district by cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and regional committee for West Jaintia Hills District by cabinet minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
“The committees will submit their report to the Government of Meghalaya within a period of 45 days from the date of this notification based on the inspection of the villages and based on the agreed yardsticks of historical perspective, ethnicity of the local population, administrative convenience of local people, contiguity with the boundary and the perception of the people living in the area,” the notification said.
The deputy commissioners of the respective districts are member convenors.
Other members of the Ri Bhoi committee are Transport minister Dasakhiatbha Lamare, Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, KHADC EM (Elaka) Jambor War and Umroi MDC Rangkynsai Kharbuki.
Three MLAs Macmillan Byrsat (Nongstoin) and Kimfa S. Marbaniang (Rambrai – Jyngam) and Gigur Myrthong, who is also KHADC Deputy CEM and Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC Bajop Pyngrope are members of the West Khasi Hills committee while Home minister Lahkmen Rymbui, two MLAs – Comingone Ymbon (Raliang) and Nujorki Sungoh (Mowkaiaw), JHADC CEM Thombor Shiwat are members of the West Jaintia Hills committee.
According to the terms of reference, the three regional committees will coordinate with the relevant regional committees set up by Assam government, will make cross-reference and verify the names of the villages (sub-villages) claimed by Meghalaya with the names of villages as per records of Assam government to establish the geographical location of the villages and their contiguity, to examine the status of the population of villages as per census records including ethnicity and to prepare an ‘As-ls’ Public Asset Register in the villages, created by both the state governments.
The panel members have also been asked to visit each of the villages, and interact with the communities living in the villages including the elected representatives of the Autonomous District Councils and other stakeholders to learn about the perception of the people living in the area, to document the factual information regarding the physical & time-wise distances from the villages to the nearest public service delivery point administrative unit.
The regional committees can co-opt any member whenever necessary.
The notification said the jurisdictional deputy commissioners will provide all the secretarial and logistic support for effective functioning of the committees and that the member convenor of the respective committee should fix the date of visit and discussion in consultation with their respective counterpart in Assam.
