Context : An agreement was signed between the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya in the presence of the Union Home Minister to resolve the dispute along their boundary.
Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute Background:
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Meghalaya became independent from Assam in 1970 and became a full-fledged State in 1972.
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The creation of Meghalaya was based on the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.
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The Meghalaya government rejected the Act because it was based on the recommendations of a 1951 committee to define the boundary of Meghalaya.
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According to their recommendations, regions of the present-day East Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya were transferred to the Karbi Anglong, Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup districts of Assam.
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Meghalaya contested for these regions after the statehood, claiming that they belonged to the tribal chieftains of Meghalaya.
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Assam argued that the Meghalaya government could not provide documents or archival materials to prove its claim over these areas.
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After multiple claims, the dispute was narrowed down to 12 sectors based on an official claim by Meghalaya in 2011.
Dispute Resolution:
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In January 2021, the Union Home Minister persuaded the north-eastern States to resolve their boundary conflicts by 15 August 2022, as the country celebrates 75 years of Independence.
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In June 2021, Assam and Meghalaya resumed negotiations and accepted a “give-and-take” policy to settle the disputes.
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Out of the 12 disputed sectors, six areas such as Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilingkata and Ratacherra were considered for negotiations in the first phase.
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The States set up a regional committee for a district affected by the disputed sectors.
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The committees, which were headed by cabinet ministers, undertook various surveys and meetings with the various stakeholders based on “five principles” which include,
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Historical facts
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Ethnicity
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Administrative convenience
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Willingness of people
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Contiguity of land with natural boundaries such as rivers, streams and rocks.
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Based on the recommendations of the committee, the two states signed a draft resolution in January 2022.
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On 29 March 2022, an agreement was signed regarding six disputed sectors.
Outcome of Agreement:
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According to the agreement, Assam will get 18.51 sq. km out of the 36.79 sq. km disputed region and Meghalaya will get the remaining.
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Despite there being less clarity on the uninhabited stretches that would be divided, political parties and a few communities in Meghalaya are unhappy about the agreement.
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The communities of the other six disputed areas namely, Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah, Matamur, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, and Khanduli feel that the agreement would adversely impact their interests.
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The non-tribal communities have expressed displeasure as they could end up living in a “tribal Meghalaya with no rights”.
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The fears are also the same for the residents of Assam in disputed areas along the border with other States.
Conclusion:
The agreement between Assam and Meghalaya which is regarded to be historic and path-breaking is expected to address the issues not just in the Assam-Meghalaya boundary but also help resolve differences between Assam and other North-Eastern states.