The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Wednesday extended greetings to the people of Meghalaya on the occasion of Shad Behdeinkhlam while expressing reservations over the invitation extended to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the chief guest for the festival.
In a statement issued by VPP spokesperson Dr A.W. Rani, the party wished that the annual festival would continue to foster peace, unity and communal harmony across the state.
“The VPP extends its warm greetings to everyone celebrating Shad Behdeinkhlam. May this sacred festival bring peace, unity and prosperity to our people,” Dr Rani said.
However, the party stated that it would have preferred if the organisers had not invited the Assam Chief Minister to the celebration.
“The VPP would have been more grateful to the organisers had they avoided inviting Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Guest for the occasion,” the statement said.
Referring to the long-standing boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, the VPP alleged that Sarma had contributed to a sense of insecurity among residents living in the border areas.
The party said Shad Behdeinkhlam represents Meghalaya’s cultural heritage, identity and unity and expressed hope that the festival would continue to reflect the sentiments and aspirations of the people of the state.
The statement came as Assam and Meghalaya continue efforts to resolve their decades-old boundary dispute involving 12 stretches along the 884-km inter-state border. In March 2022, the two states signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the first phase of settlement in six disputed areas, while discussions on the remaining sectors have continued.
On May 29, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam and Meghalaya had agreed to expedite the boundary demarcation process following discussions with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in Guwahati to work towards a lasting settlement of the inter-state border issue.
