Shillong, May 18: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday said the chief ministers of Meghalaya and Assam are coordinating “very seriously” to resolve the ongoing Lapangap issue, even as a recent joint meeting between the two sides failed to arrive at a final settlement.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said the matter is being handled at the highest level by both state governments. “Both the chief ministers are coordinating about this issue very seriously,” he said.
His remarks came after representatives from villages on both sides held a meeting in the presence of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police from Meghalaya and Assam. “There was a meeting between both the villages in presence of the district administrations from both sides,” Dhar said. “The meeting was very good and it went off peacefully.”
However, the Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged that several issues remain unresolved and no final conclusion has yet been reached. “There are some issues still left,” he said. “Finally, the decision on how to go about it, we have not yet come to a conclusion so let us see another two or three days.”
Dhar also informed that farming activities in the disputed area have not yet resumed. Asked whether cultivation had restarted, he replied, “As of today not yet resume.” Clarifying the nature of the dispute, Dhar said the Lapangap issue is primarily related to livelihood concerns rather than the interstate border dispute. “About the Lapangap issue, it is not about border issue, it is mostly about livelihood,” he said.
On the second phase of Meghalaya-Assam border talks, Dhar stated that Meghalaya is awaiting Assam’s move to appoint the chairman of its regional committee before discussions can proceed further. “On the border issue, when they (Assam) appoint their chairman of the regional committee, we will discuss accordingly,” he added.
