Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute

Why in news?

Tension gripped the Assam-Meghalaya border areas after six people were killed when police intercepted a truck that was allegedly smuggling timber.

The Firing - There was an alleged clash between the Assam Police and a mob in an area bordering the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Mukroh village in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills.
Six people were killed out of which five are from Meghalaya.
Assam’s point - The Assam Police has claimed that they opened fire in self defence after a mob surrounded them when they were trying to intercept a truck allegedly smuggling timber.
Assam has announced a one-man inquiry commission under a retired High Court judge to probe the issue.
Meghalaya’s stand - Meghalaya Chief Minister termed the Assam Police’s actions “inhuman” and said the state will set up a judicial commission and a Special Investigation Team until a central agency takes over.

During the British rule, undivided Assam included present-day Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Assam and Meghalaya share an 885-km border.
In 1970, Meghalaya was carved out of Assam as an autonomous state.
In 1972, Meghalaya became a full-fledged state following the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.
The Meghalaya government found the Act unacceptable.
As many as 12 land dispute points have been a bone of contention, out of which 6 areas have found some type of resolution after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two states.
Langpih in the West Garo Hills bordering the Kamrup district of Assam is a major flashpoint.
Langpih was part of the Kamrup district during the British colonial period, but post-Independence, it became part of the Garo Hills and Meghalaya.
Meghalaya claims that the border problem in Langpih has been created by Assam, which has often set up police posts there.

assam-meghalaya-border

1983 - A joint official committee recommended that the Survey of India should re-delineate the border, teaming up with both the states.
1985 - An independent panel, spearheaded by Justice YV Chandrachud, was set up but Meghalaya denounced the report.
1991 - About 100 km of the border was demarcated with the help of the Survey of India, but Meghalaya protested strongly.
2011 - The Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution for intervention of the Centre and the establishment of a boundary commission.
The Centre asked the two governments to appoint nodal officers to discuss the dispute.
2019 - Meghalaya urged the Supreme Court to direct the Centre to resolve the dispute but the petition was turned down.
2022 - Assam and Meghalaya signed a draft resolution as a first step towards resolving a 50-year-old dispute.
A MoU was signed between Assam Chief Minister and his Meghalaya counterpart in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi which sought closure in 6 disputed sectors.
The second phase of border talks decided to form three regional committees to resolve issues in the remaining disputed areas.

Related links - Assam-Mizoram Border Dispute

References