Megh and Assam boundary talks end inconclusively

Byrnihat, Nov 20 (UNI) Talks on the boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya today remained inconclusive with both sides agreeing to maintain status quo.

'' We want that status quo, especially in the context of Langpih, should be maintained and the issue should be solved within the ambit of the Constitution, '' Assam Chief Secretary P C Sharma and his Meghalaya counterpart Ranjan Chatterjee told a joint press conference after the second Chief Secretary-level meeting on the boundary dispute at Conservation Training Institute here.

Lanngpih had been a disputed territory bordering Meghalaya boundary with Assam's Kamrup district.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had recently laid the foundation of a health centre and a police outpost in the disputed territory, thus earning the ire of the Meghalaya government.

'' If any developmental work is taken up at Langpih, we will be informed first, '' Mr Chatterjee said adding the idea was endorsed by the Assam government.

In 1985, the Assam and Meghalaya governments entrusted Justice Y V Chandrachud with heading the Committee of experts for opinion on the Constitutional aspects of the boundary demarcation between the two neighboring states.

Assam claimed Langpih was based on the recommendations of Justice Y V Chandrachud Committee report. However, Meghalaya had rejected the Committee's report.

Asked about Meghalaya's proposal to set up a police outpost at Langpih, the Assam Chief Secretary said such a proposal was not acceptable to the state government.

'' We will not allow the Meghalaya government to set up the police outpost as both sides have agreed to maintain status quo on the area, '' Mr Sharma said.

Meghalaya has 12 areas of difference with Assam.

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