On Assam-Meghalaya border accord

(Mains GS 2 : Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.)

Context:

• The chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya signed a pact in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve part of their five-decade-old boundary dispute.

Root of the conflict:

• During British rule, undivided Assam included present-day Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
• Meghalaya was carved out in 1972, its boundaries demarcated as per the Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act of 1969, but has held a different interpretation of the border since.
• Some of these disputes stem from recommendations made by a 1951 committee headed by then Assam chief minister Gopinath Bordoloi as the 1969 Act is based on this committee’s recommendations.

Recent agreement:

• The recent agreement between Assam and Meghalaya to end their boundary dispute in six of the 12 areas, where discord persisted, is a welcome first step.
• Based on a draft resolution of January 29 between the two States, the agreement covers Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata and Ratacherra under the Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro) and Cachar districts of Assam and the West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya.
• Of the disputed territory of a little over 36 square kilometers, the two States will get a near equal share, enshrining the sharing principle that might serve as a template to resolve other boundary disputes in the northeast.

Draw right lessons:

• One can only hope that the right lessons will be drawn by Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland from this accord to understand the other’s point of view and come to agreements.
• In July 2021, five policemen and a civilian from Assam were shot dead in violent clashes with their Mizo counterparts at a disputed point between Assam and Mizoram.
• Thus, it is imperative that Assam and the other States locked in dispute use goodwill and the good offices of the Centre.
• Rather than entrusting security to paramilitary forces, one confidence-building measure could be to deploy State police without arms wherever possible as it would be a signal that all States are committed to resolving their disputes peacefully.

Conclusion:

• The gains made in Assam-Meghalaya are significant as they offer a roadmap to the other states to bring down the temperature, and denting the Northeast’s image of a region of innumerable conflicts.