Time frame for border talks modalities extended
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Cabinet has decided to extend the period for preparing the modalities for the proposed talks to resolve the long-pending inter-State boundary disputes.
“We have decided to extend the period for preparing the modalities following the request of the Chief Secretary WMS Pariat,” Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said while speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday.
He said that the Cabinet fully understands that the issue is a complicated one and it has been hanging fire for so many years.
“So it is not an easy task for the Chief Secretary to prepare the modalities within a given time frame” Dr Sangma said.
Replying to a query, he said that time extension which is being given will not exceed the original time frame.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister informed that the Chief Secretary made a presentation before the Cabinet on the modalities which are being worked out. “While making the presentation, the Chief Secretary also apprised the Cabinet of the important issues which need to be thrashed out and strategies to be adopted” Dr Sangma said He also informed that the Chief Secretary is still waiting for some more suggestions and is also trying to get hold of some important documents. The Chief Minister said he is also waiting for the report from the Government constituted Sub-Committee on the Inter-State boundary issue headed by former Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy. Dr Sangma informed that his meeting with the Assam counterpart Tarun Gogoi on this very important matter was a very fruitful one.
“The Assam Chief Minister also fully agrees on the importance of resolving this long pending issue” the Chief Minister said. Replying to another query, he said that this time round, the Assam Government has also showed its sincerity and seriousness to resolve this issue. The Chief Minister however maintained that this matter should be addressed in the right perspective.
Source: The Shillong Times
