Cong demands talks in House on Assam govt’s formula to resolve border dispute with Meghalaya

Guwahati: The Congress on Saturday kept up its opposition to Assam government’s recommendation for a “give and take” formula to settle partially the long-pending boundary dispute with Meghalaya and demanded a discussion on the matter in the state Assembly.
It said the Assam government’s decision should be challenged in court and a mass movement should be built against it.
Congress, which is the main opposition party in Assam, staged a demonstration in front of its headquarters here during the day against the government’s proposal.It also convened a meeting of academicians, intellectuals and lawyers to discuss the issue.
Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia (Cong) wrote to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying the decision is against the interests of the state and demanded a special Assembly session to discuss the matter in detail.
“By taking a final decision on the Assam-Meghalaya border imbroglio in the state cabinet and sending a report to the Centre without a discussion in the state Assembly, you have done something that is against the state’s interests. This is irresponsible and unconstitutional,” he said. Saikia urged the CM to rescind the cabinet decision and the final recommendation. “…If you do not allow a discussion in the House on the issue and proceed without concern for public opinion, you will be remembered in history as the chief minister who surrendered,” the Congress leader said in his letter.
According to the final set of recommendations given jointly by three regional committees formed by the two states, out of 36.79 sq km of disputed area taken up for settlement in the first phase, Assam will get full control on 18.51 sq km and Meghalaya on 18.28 sq km. PTI