Shillong, June 10: Frustrated by the prolonged impasse on the inter-state boundary, the D.D. Lapang government in Meghalaya has initiated a move to form a joint committee with Assam to settle all their land disputes.

Deputy chief minister Mukul Sangma, who is in charge of the home department, told the media today that forming a joint committee appeared to be the best way to go about the task. He said the recent incidents at Lum Dorbar, which is part of the disputed Block-II of Karbi Anglong, accentuated the need for proactive steps by both states.

Sangma said miscreants were resorting to arson ? they torched several houses in the area recently ? to drive out Khasi-Pnar residents from Karbi Anglong.

The ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) has been facing flak from various organisations for allegedly not reacting to the recent incidents in Block II. Refuting the allegation, the deputy chief minister said the government had been closely monitoring the developments in Block II through various channels. ?We decided on the initiative to form a joint committee because a solution to the problem has to be found immediately.?

The MDA is understood to have sought a response from the Assam government on the proposal. If it materialises, the committee will include representatives of the Khasi, Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong district councils, district heads and NGOs.

Sangma said the committee?s primary objective would be to monitor developments in blocks I and II of Karbi Anglong district. These two areas have been the main reason for friction between the neighbouring states.

The deputy chief minister said he was in touch with Assam minister of state for home Rockybul Hussain, while Lapang was maintaining contact with his counterpart Tarun Gogoi in a bid to arrive at an understanding.

?We are trying to solve the problem and not create one,? Sangma said, expressing the government?s disapproval of ?attempts to sensationalise the issue?.

On the incidents in Lum Dorbar, the Garo leader said the government was investigating who were behind the arson. ?We do not have any credible information as yet on who is fanning trouble. The media claims that the houses were torched by authorities from Assam, but we need to substantiate that.?

Sangma said the Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council had promised humanitarian assistance to the affected families.