Guwahati, Mar 14 : Not satisfied with the state
government's reply on Meghalaya's claim that Assam Chief
Minister Tarun Gogoi's official residence was on the
neighbouring state's land, opposition parties today staged a
walkout from the assembly.
Asom Gana Parishad MLA Padma Hazarika today raised
the issue of Meghalaya government's claim on 12 disputed
places, including the Chief Minister's residence in Koinadhara
Hill which was earlier the Assam State Guest House and urged
the government to make its stand clear on the matter.
BJP MLA Prashanta Phukan also raised the issue saying
the matter was serious as Meghalaya's Revenue Minister had
made the statement in their assembly yesterday.
Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said the state
government was committed to protect every inch of its land and
no claim by any neighbouring state would change this stand.
"We are in favour of resolving the issue within the
constitutional framework and not by a boundary commission as
demanded by Meghalaya," he said.
The Chief Minister announced in his budget speech
yesterday that a number of schemes were undertaken for the
all-round socio-economic development of the people living in
the inter-state border areas, Hussain said.
The opposition parties then staged a walkout alleging
the reply reflects the government's indifference towards the
issue and was far from satisfactory.
Meghalaya Revenue Minister R C Laloo had said in the
assembly yesterday that differences persisted with Assam at 12
places along the border, with one being the land on which
stands the Assam State Guest House stands, currently occupied
by the Assam Chief Minister, along the inter-state border
falling within the Khanapara-Pilangakata block.