Assam and Meghalaya will set up a dedicated hotline and district-level panel to address recurring border disputes
Shillong: Meghalaya and Assam have agreed to establish a dedicated hotline and a permanent district-level mechanism to address disputes along their inter-state border, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly on August 24.
A joint meeting of senior officials from both states was held on August 22, led by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam minister Atul Bora. The decision follows recent tensions after violence in Shillong and a subsequent road blockade at Jorabat near the Meghalaya-Assam border.
Under the new arrangement, a permanent committee comprising the deputy commissioners of Nongpoh and Kamrup Metropolitan, along with senior police officers, will address day-to-day border issues.
The states will also form a joint transport committee involving senior officials and representatives of tourist taxi associations to regulate inter-state tourist transport and address operators’ concerns.
Sangma said the measures followed talks that helped end the Jorabat blockade, restoring the movement of essential commodities and vehicles between the states. He also said the government had taken the Shillong violence seriously and would take necessary action against those responsible.
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