No friction between Assam, Meghalaya over boundary dispute: Himanta

Jowai (Meghalaya), Jul 9 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said his state and Meghalaya continued to maintain a friendly and cooperative approach towards resolving their decades-old boundary dispute, asserting that there was "no friction" between the two neighbouring states. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual Behdienkhlam festival in Jowai, Sarma said both governments remain in constant communication and are committed to resolving any issues that arise along the interstate border through dialogue and mutual understanding. Sarma was in Meghalaya to attend the festival, one of the most significant religious and cultural festivals of the Pnar (Jaintia) community. Celebrated annually in Jowai town in eastern Meghalaya, the festival is observed to seek divine blessings for a bountiful harvest, good health and prosperity, while warding off diseases, calamities and evil spirits. "I keep on meeting the CM and deputy CM. So, the channel of discussion is always open. We keep on meeting, and there is no friction. Whenever something happens, we resolve that immediately with the spirit of friendship," Sarma said. Asked about reports of frequent friction in border areas, the Assam CM dismissed such concerns, saying the overall situation remains peaceful. "I don't think so... everything is smooth," he added. His remarks come days after the Meghalaya government reconstituted its regional committees to take forward the second phase of boundary negotiations with Assam. The committees have been tasked with holding consultations with local stakeholders and examining the remaining six disputed areas between the two states. In the first phase of the talks, Assam and Meghalaya signed a landmark border settlement agreement in March 2022, resolving disputes in six of the 12 identified areas of difference. The second phase aims to resolve the remaining six areas of difference -- Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Deshdemoreah, Block I and Block II, and Psiar-Khanduli. Both Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma have repeatedly reiterated their commitment to resolving the long-pending interstate boundary dispute through dialogue, consultation and mutual understanding. Sangma has said the reconstituted regional committees will engage with stakeholders, assess ground realities and submit their recommendations to facilitate progress in the second phase of the border talks. PTI JOP MNB