The Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) has expressed concern over the “give and take” policy, which Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that both Assam and Meghalaya should adopt to resolve the decades long boundary dispute between the two states.
“KSA would like to express deep concern over ‘Give and Take’ policy emerged in the first round of bilateral talks between the Chief Minister of Assam – Himanta Biswa Sharma and Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya,” the students’ body said in a statement.
It added: “KSA reiterates that the disputed border has deep and long historical background. Therefore, proper consultation is must with all the stakeholders before going for any official step in order to avoid unwanted circumstances.”
The KSA said that out of the 12 disputed areas, maximum areas are in the Karbi Anglong district.
Also read: Both states should be ready for give and take: Assam CM on border row with Meghalaya
“…the psychological fear of losing our land has become very pertinent in the mind of the indigenous people of the region,” the KSA said.
It added: “In the process of bringing amicably solution to the differences between Assam and Meghalaya, Karbi Anglong (Now West Karbi Anglong) must not be victimised.”
“We whole heartedly welcome the spirit of keeping Northeast alive but not at the cost of losing our land to any stakeholders. Therefore, we humbly appeal both the State Governments to solve the long-standing issue without hampering anyone/stakeholders,” the KSA further said.
Notably, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Friday, said that both the states of Assam and Meghalaya should be ready to adopt a policy of give and take in order to resolve decades long border issue between the two states.
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CM Sarma also informed that he along with Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma will visit the disputed inter-state border areas and ascertain the facts on ground before reaching a conclusion.
“Both the states should be ready for give and take. Me and Meghalaya CM have decided to visit the bordering areas and ascertain the facts on ground,” Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma sat for discussions on the boundary issue on July 23.
In the meeting, Meghalaya and Assam decided to put in their best efforts to resolve the decades old inter-state boundary dispute and go beyond the word “status quo” which has been maintained by both the states.