In order to pacify the simmering tension between the two states, the home ministry has agreed to institute an independent probe into the Langpih firing incident where four Khasi villagers were killed on May 14 in “indiscriminate” firing by the Assam police.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who met Union home minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday in New Delhi, told reporters in Shillong on Monday that the home minister was open to the idea of an independent probe by the Central agency into the Langpih incident.
Mr Sangma apprised him about the boundary dispute that is now the bone of contention between the two states since the Assam police opened fire on Meghalaya villagers who are alleged to have been claiming their rights on Langpi, a border village.
“In the meeting with Union home minister, I have requested New Delhi to initiate tripartite solution to the boundary dispute and coordinate the meetings between Assam and Meghalaya to resolve the crisis,” said Mr Sangma, adding that a meeting between the two chief ministers will be convened shortly to discuss the Langpih incident and border issues. An early settlement of the boundary dispute in Langpih area is necessary for the benefit of both the states, Mr Sangma said.
Earlier, in an meeting, the state Cabinet advised the government to hand-over the probe of Langpih incident to the CBI.