Union Home Secretary urges Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal to accelerate border agreement progress

Guwahati: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan late Wednesday convened a review meeting in Guwahati, Assam to assess the progress on the border agreements signed between Assam and Meghalaya on March 29, 2022, and between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on April 20, 2023.

Following a comprehensive discussion, it was agreed that the respective state governments would extend their cooperation to ensure that survey work for the six areas of dispute on the Assam-Meghalaya border, and 38 identified villages along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border is completed within the next six months.

The six disputed areas on the Assam-Meghalaya border include Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Baklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata and Ratacherra.

Emphasis was laid on the need to activate the regional committees of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on an urgent basis in order to facilitate the finalisation of boundaries for 49 villages by April 19, 2025.

Additionally, both Assam and Meghalaya were suggested to advance efforts in resolving the remaining six areas of dispute, with regional committees on both sides already being constituted.

The Union Home Secretary expressed satisfaction that a conclusive resolution had been reached for the Hahim area.

He directed that efforts be made to complete the erection of boundary pillars in the Hahim area by the end of December 2024.

It was also suggested that boundary pillars be erected in the Kamengabari and Bhalukpong areas along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, where a pilot survey has already been completed.

The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh - Ravi Kota, DP Wahlang and Manish Gupta, respectively.

Senior officials from the Central government and all the three states were also present in the meeting.