MDA partners meet Meghalaya CM, discuss boundary, language, railway line issues

The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) on Monday pursued with Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma three pending issues including the inter-state boundary dispute with Assam.

The RDA is an alliance of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), which are part of the MDA government-led by the National People’s Party (NPP).

The RDA delegation was led by UDP chief adviser and former deputy chief minister, Bindo M Lanong, and accompanied by UDP and HSPDP leaders.

After the meeting, Lanong said the delegation discussed with the chief minister the pending solution to the inter-state boundary dispute, railway line, and inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

Lanong said the chief minister has assured of pursuing with the Centre the importance of getting the two languages- Khasi and Garo included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

Lanong recalled The Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005 passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, which has recognized Khasi and Garo as the state’s associate official languages, and how the state missed an opportunity when in 2003, four languages were included in the 8th Schedule.

On the railway line connecting Assam with Khasi Hills of the state, Lanong said the issue should go slowly as far as implementing the project for passenger trains.

“However cargo train or goods train may be examined up to Khanapara or Byrnihat so that the carrier of goods would not be a problem. We have to examine this properly,” Lanong said.

On the inter-state boundary dispute with Assam, the UDP leader recalled that in 1987, the Chandrachud Committee had submitted its report but did not propose anything as far as finding a solution.

“The report only says that the sentiments of both sides should be respected,” Lanong said.

“We have expressed before the Chief Minister to have a review on the issue and propose to Assam to resume the dialogue for a permanent solution which include Block 1, and Block 2. We cannot fight like India and China. The chief minister has also assured to pursue this matter,” Lanong informed.