Dispur (Assam): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma have decided to adopt a pragmatic approach and move from status quo to solution to the disputed areas between the two states soon. Both the chief ministers met on Friday evening at Meghalaya capital Shillong to discuss the vexed inter state border issue.
Chief secretaries and other senior officials of both the governments were also present in the meeting. Both the CMs also likely to undertake a joint visit to the disputed areas between the two states soon. It was agreed to discuss all 12 places one by one and review claims.
Meghalaya claimed 12 disputed places belonging to the state. The government of Assam also justified with documents that those places belong to Assam.
Assam Chief Minister Sarma also invited Meghalaya CM Sangma for second round of discussion at Guwahati on August 6. Later talking to media persons, Sarma said, "It was a very fruitful discussion. We came to a common understanding and we are firm and committed to resolve the border dispute."
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Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma also said that in view of contradictory claims, there would have more discussion and review so that a lasting solution could be reached. Thanking his Assam counterpart for his visit and to take forth the dialogue on the border dispute, Sangma said that as it was a long pending issue, and would take some more time as well as consultation for an amicable and accepted solution for both the states to reach.
