Confirming reports that Assam officials were constructing a road and engaging machines for earth-cutting in a "disputed" area in the state’s Jaintia Hills district, Sangma said, "the chief secretary has taken up the issue with his counterpart. I have also spoken to Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi. He said he would verify the reports and take necessary action."
Sangma said such activity by Assam was not in conformity with the decisions taken during the meeting between the two chief ministers in Guwahati last Saturday.
"I have told Mr Gogoi, such developments are irritants, which should be avoided by both the state," Sangma said.
"May be some people do not want to settle the issue. There has to be sustained effort. I am hopeful of a settlement," the chief minister told reporters, underlining the need for enhancing trust between the two states.
Following the reports, a high level meeting was also held today, issuing ‘appropriate action’ to the district administrations to take up the issue with the respective administrations of Assam. More
Earlier, the government came in line of Opposition NCP’s fire in the assembly following the reports of fresh encroachment by Assam, less than a week after the two states agreed to constitute a chief secretary-level panel to address the long-pending border dispute.
"Assam has broken the assurance given at the meeting between the two chief ministers last Saturday that status quo would be maintained," Opposition leader Conrad Sangma said.
"It is an insult to the Meghalaya Chief Minister as well as the state of Meghalaya. It appears that the CM-level meeting had no significance. The government should come clear on the minutes of the meeting to instill confidence among the people," Conrad observed in at the assembly, demanding a statement from the Chief Minister.
Reports said Assam was preparing to set up a border observation post at Khatkasla, and constructing a road to connect it with Psiar, another disputed tract.
Earlier, on Saturday, the chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya, during a meeting in Guwahati, had decided to constitute a chief secretary level committee to resolve the vexed boundary dispute.