Assam-Meghalaya Border Pact

Why in news?

• A border agreement was signed between Assam and Meghalaya.
• With this newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Meghalaya will be gaining 18.33 square kilometers and Assam will be gaining 18.46 sq km out of the total of 36.79 sq km. in 6 out of 12 areas of differences that were resolved between the two states

What’s the dispute?

• 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 Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969, but has held a different interpretation of the border since.
• Assam and Meghalaya share an 885-km-long border.
• In 2011, the Meghalaya government had identified 12 areas of difference with Assam, spread over approximately 2,700 sq km

Points of dispute:

• There were 12 points of dispute along their borders. These include the areas of
  • Upper Tarabari, Gazang reserve forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Retacherra.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following states are carved out of Assam since Indian Independence?

1. Tripura

2. Manipur

3. Meghalaya

4. Mizoram

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer