GUWAHATI: Amid ongoing talks to resolve the Assam-Meghalaya border row, Atul Bora, Assam’s Border Protection and Development Minister, has levelled a serious allegation against Meghalaya, asserting the encroachment of 3,441.86 hectares of Assam’s land.
During the Assembly session on February 7, in response to a query posed by BJP MLA Bidya Sing Engleng regarding encroachments on state’s territory by neighbouring states, Minister Bora made this claim in a written reply.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Bora revealed that nearly 83,000 hectares of Assam’s land are currently under occupation by neighbouring states.
Underscoring Assam’s resolute stance on the vexed border issue with Meghalaya, Bora said, “This government won’t give any land to Meghalaya. We’ll not betray the sentiments of the Assamese people.”
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The declaration came in response to allegations raised by Raijor Dal member Akhil Gogoi during the Question Hour, who accused the Assam government of surrendering state land to neighbouring states in order to settle boundary disputes.
“Is the Assam government a donor of state land? Who has given you that right?” Gogoi questioned.
The backdrop to these exchanges is a series of clashes that have plagued the Assam-Meghalaya border region, with the most recent incident occurring in Lapangap village, West Jaintia Hills, in September 2023.
The clash reportedly erupted when a group of Karbi individuals purportedly attacked Pnar farmers with bows and arrows, sparking a violent confrontation between the two communities.
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In response to the escalating tensions, both state governments had convened a Chief Ministerial-level meeting at the State Guest House in Khanapara, Assam, where critical decisions were made to address the border dispute and restore peace to the region.
As part of these measures, it was agreed to withdraw state police personnel from Block – I of the disputed areas, including Khanduli in West Jaintia Hills district, as a confidence-building measure for local residents.
However, despite these efforts, recent clashes have reignited concerns over the ongoing attempts to resolve the longstanding border dispute.
