Date:10/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061054551000.htm

National

Assam, Meghalaya harden stand

Shillong: Ahead of Wednesday’s boundary talks, both Assam and Meghalaya have hardened their stance on the disputed Langpih area. A day after Assam claimed that Langpih was “not negotiable,” Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy said: “It is their stand ... we will force them to talk.”

Alleging that Assam had political interests in the disputed area, Mr. Roy told journalists here on Monday: “Our mission is to get back Langpih and we will do it.

He said: “We will continue our fight against forcible occupation of land by Assam. Not only the Langpih area, we will also take up other areas where there are differences with Assam.”

When it was pointed out that Assam had scored over Meghalaya, laying the foundation stone for office quarters besides announcing a Rs.100-crore road project along the boundary, Mr. Roy said: “We don’t want to score. Assam should be more serious in solving the long-pending border issue.” — PTI