As Meghalaya and Assam prepare to begin the second phase of negotiations to resolve the remaining six interstate boundary disputes, the Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDDF) has urged the Meghalaya government to ensure that the Regional Committee’s reports on the sensitive Block I and Block II sectors are founded on extensive field verification and historical evidence, particularly the findings of the 1958 joint inspection report. In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Regional Committee Chairman Sniawbhalang Dhar, the forum called for exhaustive on-site inspections and direct engagement with border residents before any recommendations are finalised.
The appeal follows the State government’s June 27 notification constituting a new Regional Committee for the remaining unresolved border sectors. Addressing the media on Friday, HBDDF Chairman Chandame Sungoh welcomed the government’s initiative but warned against repeating the shortcomings of the first phase of the border settlement process. He said that although the earlier Regional Committee had been guided by similar terms of reference, officials had failed to carry out detailed field inspections in Block I, including sensitive locations such as Borato and Mukroh, and instead relied heavily on local residents to compile information. Sungoh maintained that the reports lacked adequate official verification and said it was fortunate that Block I and Block II were not settled during the first phase.
HBDDF spokesperson and KHNAM working president Thomas Passah urged the Regional Committee not to overlook the historical basis of Meghalaya’s claim over the disputed areas. “We wanted the regional committees of Meghalaya should not look away from this notification 1958 because in 1957 a joint inspection has already been carried out by Assam and Meghalaya into the aspect of the Block I and after the ground demarcation by both sides, a report was out in 1958 and this 1958 report has clearly stated that majority of the areas belongs to the pnar people and therefore, they should be transferred back to the state of Meghalaya,” Passah said on Friday.
He cautioned that ignoring the document would weaken Meghalaya’s position in the ongoing negotiations. “We would be very sad if the government of Meghalaya or the regional committee would sideline this 1958 report,” he added. The forum maintained that only a transparent, evidence-based assessment backed by physical verification and historical records would ensure a fair and durable resolution of the remaining border disputes.
HBDDF Urges Meghalaya to Base Block I, II Border Reports on Ground Verification, 1958 Survey Findings
