Shillong, Mar 17: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday stayed away from making any promise on resolving the differences in opinion of stakeholders on sharing border land with Assam, and said it would be “difficult” to say anything at present.
Speaking to reporters after the budget session of the Assembly, Sangma said he received a confirmation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on their meeting on March 27 to finalise the MoU signed with the neighbouring state for resolving 6 of the 12 areas of difference.
“Once we discuss, only then we will come to know. Let us hope for the best,” he said.
At the same time, he reiterated that the government has moved “as close to a perfect kind of scenario” on settling the border dispute in the six areas.
Several headmen of border villages and a section of residents, like those at Malchapara in West Garo Hills, have raised objections to the border agreement.
Sangma said the government had discussed with traditional heads multiple times and shared the information.
NPP MDCs in KHADC, led by Gigur Myrthong, have supported the government on the issue.
On the demand of the Malchapara residents for inclusion of their villages under Meghalaya, the chief minister said majority of the public during the hearing on video recording had said they wanted to be in Assam.
“Yes, there are concerns but proof is there on record that is why we moved forward. Nonetheless, since the concerns were raised, I can once again discuss this matter but it is difficult to say right now what will happen,” he added.
