Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, addressing the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the All Meghalaya Karbi Association (AMKA) at Purduwa Kharpati in Ri Bhoi district on April 3rd, reaffirmed his government’s dedication to resolving the long-standing border disputes with Assam.
He acknowledged the intricate technical and political challenges involved, emphasizing that progress is being made.
Sangma credited past administrations for initiating the dialogue but underscored his government’s active collaboration with the state council to forge a resolution. “This is not a simple issue to resolve, and it is a political challenge, apart from technical challenge. Governments in the past, may not have taken this forward. But we are committed to resolve the issue. I thank my Assam counterpart for taking the initiative to resolve the issue,” he stated, acknowledging the tensions faced by border communities.
The Chief Minister also paid tribute to Karbi leaders who contributed to Meghalaya’s statehood, including (L) Valerian Hing Timung, (L) Jaipo Thang Taro, Dominic Timung, Joy Taro and Chikraw Timung.
He highlighted the sacrifices made by the Karbi people, noting their imprisonment during the statehood movement, and emphasized the enduring bond between the Karbi community and Meghalaya.
Congratulating AMKA on its 50th anniversary, Sangma commended the organization’s efforts in preserving Karbi cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of unity among Meghalaya’s diverse tribes, assuring all citizens of equal importance and rights. “We may have different larger communities and tribes in our state, but let me assure every single citizen of our state, that no matter which tribe you belong to, no matter which religion you practice… being in Meghalaya and being a citizen of Meghalaya, makes you equally important to us… and it is the duty of every single leader and the government to ensure that all development and overall protection and rights are given to all the people living in our state of Meghalaya,” he said.
To support cultural preservation, Sangma announced a Rs. 50 Lakh grant for the establishment of a Karbi Culture Centre. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting minority groups in safeguarding their traditions.
Addressing the border area’s developmental challenges, Sangma mentioned the collaborative effort between Assam, Meghalaya, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council to maintain peace and facilitate development. He specifically cited the construction of a school, funded by the Chief Minister Special Development Fund (CMSDF), in an area where children previously lacked formal educational facilities.
Regarding AMKA’s demand to change the Karbi nomenclature from “Mikir,” Sangma acknowledged the issue and stated that a committee, led by the Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, has been formed to study and recommend changes, which will subsequently be presented to the Government of India.
On the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill and the demand for inclusion of unrepresented tribes, he indicated that the government is open to exploring the possibility of expanding nominated members to accommodate these groups.
Finally, Sangma announced plans to introduce Khasi and Garo languages in all schools across Meghalaya, aiming to promote linguistic understanding and cultural integration among students. “I personally believe that it is important that the students understand words from both the languages. It will be challenging to introduce Khasi for students in Garo Hills and similarly Garo for students in Khasi Hills, but we are exploring the possibility to make both the languages mandatory in schools across the state,” he asserted.
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