Meghalaya CM asks Centre to settle Assam border dispute
What's the story
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma met with the Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Shillong and asked him to intervene in matters like boundary conflict with Assam and the insurgency in Garo Hills region. The CM asked Singh to set up a commission to define the border. He also sought the upgradation of police establishment and infrastructure to contain the insurgency in Garo Hills region.
Introduction
Assam-Meghalaya inter-state boundary dispute
Meghalaya became a full-fledged State on 21 January 1972. Since then, the inter-state boundary as established under the North Eastern Areas (Re-Organisation) Act, 1971 has been a point of contention between Assam and Meghalaya. The 12 disputed inter-state boundary areas are "Upper Tarabari, Gazang reserve Forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Retacherra."
Historical
Langpih: To Assam and back
In 1985, the Assam and Meghalaya governments assigned Justice Y.V. Chandrachud to head a committee for boundary demarcation between the two states. Assam claimed Langpih based on the recommendations; however, Meghalaya rejected the committee's report.
Mar 2011
Meghalaya Assembly asks for a Boundary Commission
In March 2011, the Meghalaya Assembly passed a declaration asking the Central Government to form a Boundary Commission to decide "all the areas of difference" between Assam and Meghalaya and not just the disputed regions of Block I and II. However, the Assam Legislative Assembly announced a counter decision, showing its disagreement with the establishment of a Boundary Commission.
12 Mar 2016
Panel formed to resolve Assam-Meghalaya boundary dispute
In order to settle the inter-State boundary issue with Assam, Meghalaya CM Sangma formed a consultation committee of political parties. He said that the committee will work with Assam and 're-strategise approach' to resolve the issue. The committee was formed after the Central government turned down the appeal of Meghalaya Government to designate a boundary commission to settle the dispute.