Assam, Meghalaya decide to maintain status quo along border

Guwahati, Nov 20 (UNI) Assam and Meghalaya today decided to maintain status quo along the existing inter-state boundary even as a meeting between its top officials to resolve the border dispute ended inconclusively with the controversy surrounding claim over Langpih dominating the proceedings.

Led by their respective Chief Secretaries, the two states met at Byrnihat on Assam-Meghalaya border, six months after the Chief Ministers of the two states had constituted a coordination committee, headed by the Chief Secretaries, to study the differences and resolve the dispute.

Official sources informed that Assam sought the implementation of the Chandrachud Committee recommendations, which had upheld Assam's claims.

Meghalaya maintained its stance against the findings of the Committee at the meeting, and stressed on inclusion of areas based on interpretation of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The YV Chandrachud Committee was formed in 1985 to demarcate the border between the two states with the Committee upholding the claims of Assam, which was outright rejected by Meghalaya.

It was decided in the meeting to maintain status quo and aim for resolution of disputes in the best interests of either sides in an amiable manner. Both states also presented claims of fresh encroachment.

The issue of claim over Langpih was raised during the meeting after the matter had come to the fore few months back when the Assam government had laid foundation for basic healthcare facilities, roads and a police outpost in the area.

Earlier, Meghalaya had strongly reacted to Assam's moves and claimed that Langpih formed a part of Meghalaya.

Assam also claimed that Langpih was a constituent of Boko Assembly constituency in Kamrup (rural) district, while Meghalaya maintained that it formed part of West Khasi Hills district.

There are 12 areas of differences between the two states.

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