Shillong, Jan 13: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday said the reports of the border committees will be made public once the announcement of the agreement is made.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said during Wednesday’s meeting, both the state governments have been asked to prepare and submit detailed comprehensive reports to the respective chief ministers within three days’ time.
To a question whether the agreement will be made public, Tynsong indicated that the matter will have to be first decided by both the chief ministers before making anything public.
“Once the reports are submitted, again both the chief ministers will sit down for final agreement. Thereafter, they will fly to Delhi for briefing”, he said.
Tynsong said the state government is keen to find an amicable solution to the boundary dispute with Assam before the 50th year of statehood celebrations on January 21.
“It is our wish from the state government of Meghalaya to resolve the dispute within January 21, since it is a day when we will be celebrating the golden jubilee of our statehood,” Tynsong said.
“However, this is not only our wish as both the chief ministers – Conrad K Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma – have to again sit down to discuss all details after receiving the detailed reports from both the state governments,” he said.
To a question what if border residents reject the recommendations of the two governments, the deputy chief minister however said there is no need to think about it right now.
“We can’t say…if the people reject or accept, I think that question will come at a later stage. Right now let us hope for the best and I am very sure it will be positive for both the states,” he said.
ILP issue alive
Tynsong said the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) is very much alive.
He said the government will continue to pressurise the central government for its decision on the ILP resolution, which was passed unanimously by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in 2019.
“The issue of ILP is very much alive as far as the state government is concerned. And whenever opportunity is there for meeting with the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, we keep reminding and we keep pressurising him to give us ILP in the state of Meghalaya,” Tynsong added.
