Shillong, July 5: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisatin (HITO) has asked the state government to take up with the Centre the constitution of a boundary committee for resolving the interstate border dispute with Assam.
“We demand the immediate constitution of a boundary committee by the government of India so that the issues are resolved and taken to their logical conclusion at the earliest,” HITO president Donbok Dkhar said in a memorandum submitted to Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Monday.
The letter was received by Health Minister AL Hek in Rymbui’s absence.
According to HITO, the boundary committee should comprise representatives from the Federation of Khasi States and the autonomous district councils (ADCs).
“We categorically state that any discussion/negotiation on the boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam must include the Federation of Khasi States Clause 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Annexed Agreement of the Instrument of Accession, accepted and signed by C Rajagopalachari, Governor General of India and the twenty-five Khasi States on 17 August 1948,” Dkhar said.
He said the significant and long-awaited treaty is yet to be honoured by the Centre.
Hence, the MDA government should clarify its position on the Treaty of the Khasi States because failing to do so will undermine the spirit of the Treaty during boundary parleys.
The NGO leader said the MDA government should also come clean by tabling a white paper so that all stakeholders are made aware of the truth and facts vis-à-vis information on the actual areas of difference between Meghalaya, Federation of Khasi States (Chiefs) and Assam.
He appreciated the stand of the Centre in taking initiative for solving the long pending inter-state border issue prior to the celebration of the 75th Independence of India.
