Assam, Meghalaya to end border dispute by January 21

• The Home Minister is likely to sign the final accord to terminate the dispute in six regions of the Assam-Meghalaya border Before Meghalaya's 50th Statehood Day celebration on January 21.

What’s The dispute?

• The boundary between Assam and Meghalaya is 885 kilometres long.
• The Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971, was used to cut Meghalaya out of Assam, a law that it opposed, resulting in disagreements.
• There are currently 12 sites of contention along their boundaries.
• The sites are: Upper Tarabari, Gazang reserve forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli, and Retacherra are among those affected.

Langpih

• The district of Langpih in the West Garo Hills, which borders the Assam district of Kamrup, is a major bone of dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
• During the British colonial period, Langpih was part of the Kamrup district, but after independence, it became part of the Garo Hills and Meghalaya.
• Assam believes it to be a part of Assam's Mikir Hills. Meghalaya has raised concerns over Blocks I and II of the Mikir Hills, which are now part of the Karbi Anglong area of Assam.
• Meghalaya says these were parts of erstwhile United Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts.

Initiatives to resolve the dispute

• Border dispute settlement panels have been established in both Assam and Meghalaya.
• The Chief Minister of Assam, and Meghalaya, have agreed to form two regional committees to address the border conflicts in stages.
• Assam’s CM has stated that there are five elements to consider when addressing the border conflict.
• Historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, the mood and feelings of the individuals affected, and the land's proximity are all factors to consider.

Assam and border issues

• The Northeastern states were created mostly from Assam, which has boundary issues with numerous other states.
• The Supreme Court is pending cases regarding Assam's boundary disputes with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
• The boundary conflicts between Assam and Meghalaya and Mizoram are currently being resolved through discussions.
• The recent escalation of the border issue with Mizoram prompted the Centre to intervene.