UDP demands for alteration of North-Eastern Areas(Reorganisation) Act

SHILLONG, Mar 21 : Meghalaya's Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) today demanded the state government to push for amendment of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, in order to restore Block I and Block II to the state.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, former Meghalaya chief minister Donkupar Roy urged the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance II (MUA-II) government to ask the Centre to amend the Act.

The demand of the Opposition UDP was significant following media reports that the Assam government
constructing an entrance gate, and a building of the State Bank of India (SBI) at Sabuda village in Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi district.

" The state government has to push with the Centre for amending the act else Block I and Block II will never come back to the state, " Dr Roy stated.

Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma informed the House that steps had been taken to include the areas under Block I and Block II under the territory of the state.

Moreover, Dr Sangma informed the House that the state government had handed over to the Assam government the evidence/justification for each of the 12 areas of
difference including Block I and Block II.

He said Block I and Block II were tagged to the then United Mikir and North Cachar Hills district on April 13, 1951.

The Chief Minister said the state government had taken necessary steps to address the inter-state boundary problem, and assured the House that there will be more engagement with the Assam government to resolve the decade boundary disputes.