Meghalaya forms panel to resolve boundary dispute with Assam

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said a consultation committee of political parties has been formed to pursue the long pending inter-state boundary issue with Assam.
"The committee will engage with our counterpart, Assam, as we have to re-strategize our approach to resolve the issue," he said in the Assembly.
The committee was set up after the Centre turned down the request of Meghalaya government to appoint a boundary commission to resolve the issue.
When the matter was placed before the Centre, it stated the matter should be resolved bi-laterally, Sangma said.
"I appeal to all to let us start meeting them (Assam) so that our people are not subjected to sporadic incidents and conflict situations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister downplayed a demand for a white paper on the issue stating the Assembly have been informed about it.
He referred to a meeting with all political parties last year when details about the submissions made to the Centre regarding the state's claims over the disputed territories were shared with them.
The Chief Minister's reply came following Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) leader Ardent Basaiawmoit's demand for a white paper stating that the issue has been pending for over four decades.