Assam-Meghalaya border row: Delegation makes first visit to Ratacherra

Shillong: Ministers from both Assam and Meghalaya made their first visit to Ratacherra Village in East Jaintia Hills on October 9.

Jaintia Hills District Regional Committee chairman Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday said both sides met at Cachar before heading to Ratacherra.

Recently, for the first time the two sides had conducted a joint inspection of the interstate border areas to solve the long-pending border dispute.

The two neighbouring states have disputes over 12 areas. There are minor differences over six of these areas and the states have decided to resolve these on priority.

Dhar, also the minister in-charge of Urban Affairs, informed that Saturday’s visit was a positive one with both sides sharing their concerns regarding the border issue.  

“We couldn’t make much from the first visit and will have to make a second visit. So far there is no such dispute. Both sides shared their documents and records,” Dhar said.

The delegation included Meghalaya Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, MLA Shitlang Pale, Assam minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, MLA Katigorah Khalil Uddin Mazumder, Deputy Commissioners of Cachar and East Jaintia Hills District, Keerthi Jalli and E Kharmalki, respectively, along with Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur. Circle Officer of Katigorah Kaveri Rongpipi also took part in the meeting.

The delegation met at a wayside amenity of the tourism department at Ratacherra village during the first visit since the formation of the regional committees of Assam and Meghalaya.

Terming the first meeting a positive one, Dhar informed that after the second meeting, which is likely to be before October 30, the committee will be able to submit their report.

Meanwhile, Assam Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary tweeted, “HCM Dr.@himantabiswa has taken strong steps to resolve inter-state border disputes with neighbouring states. In this regard a meeting of the Regional Committee, formed following CM level meeting between Assam & Meghalaya was held at Ratacherra, East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.”

Also read: Assam, Meghalaya officials jointly visit disputed border areas