Shillong, Oct 10: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday appealed to citizens on both sides of the Assam-Meghalaya border to allow the governments to resolve the long-standing dispute.
The appeal comes a day after fresh clashes between two groups from both sides resulted in the death of a Karbi villager.
Sangma, who is on a three-day visit to Manipur and Nagaland, said the incident occurred despite efforts to restrain violence.
“Both the police were restraining their respective population… but… there was a scuffle between two groups of people from both sides, and during the scuffle one person lost his life,” he said.
Sangma also clarified that there was no involvement of enforcement agencies.
“We are appealing to our citizens from both sides to allow the governments to engage… whatever problems are there, locally, if the people cooperate and talk to each other, we will be able to resolve it…,” he stated.
Highlighting the progress made so far in resolving the border dispute, Sangma informed that six out of 12 areas of difference have been resolved.
Further, the CM also explained the approach taken by the state governments of Assam and Meghalaya to resolve the dispute, which involves engaging with the local people and taking into account their suggestions.
He emphasised that the MDA government, for the first time, involved locals to resolve the border issue instead of just closed-door meetings.
“What could not be solved for 52 years, we are trying our best to engage,” he said, while reiterating that his stand is not to bulldoze.
