Our Bureau
SHILLONG/JOWAI, Oct 22: After several tense days, the residents of Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills and Tapat in West Karbi Anglong, Assam, came together on Wednesday for the resumption of harvesting in the area.
Before the resumption of harvesting, the headmen of Lapangap and Tapat signed an agreement in the presence of the authorities of the districts of Meghalaya and Assam concerned.
They unanimously agreed that person(s) involved in the death of Tapat resident Orivel Timung, son of the late Pang-eh Timung, will be arrested and the investigation into the incident will be fast-tracked.
“If the accused are not arrested, then peace and tranquillity will be difficult to maintain during the next crop cycle,” the agreement read.
It was also decided that the residents of Tapat and Lapangap will not discuss the territorial jurisdiction of the land involved in dispute, which would be decided by the appropriate government authorities.
Community plantation, cattle rearing, and other agricultural activities may be allowed with prior information and proper communication to avoid any misunderstanding, they agreed.
As harvesting was allowed to be carried out peacefully from Wednesday, it was also decided that both villages should amicably resolve all routine disputes together with mutual agreement and understanding to maintain peace and harmony in the area.
The harvesting began on Wednesday in the presence of security personnel from both sides. About 6 hectares of land were harvested. Farming activities had stopped after a skirmish earlier this month, leading to Timung’s death.
Some Khasi Students’ Union and Hynniewtrep Youth Council leaders helped the people of Lapangap in their harvesting. Members of the West Jaintia Hills unit of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP) also joined the farmers in harvesting paddy.
Meghalaya police personnel kept guard during the harvesting.
Nangkhraw Rani, the general secretary of the FKJGP unit, stated that the organisation stood by the farmers after discussions between the two parties concerned.
The organisation alleged that the Meghalaya government yielded to its Assam counterpart, while the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) chose to remain silent during and after the incident.
The FKJGP demanded the resignation of the JHADC members for failing to stand by the Lapangap residents.
West Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa urged people to maintain restraint and not disrupt the peace in Lapangap.
Dhanoa, who visited the village where residents have resumed paddy harvesting, said the police are keeping a strict watch and have deployed personnel to ensure the safety of villagers working in the fields. He assured that adequate security remains in place to prevent any untoward incident.
Appealing specifically to non-residents, the SP advised against making comments or engaging in actions that could inflame tempers or revive past tensions.
Dhanoa also mentioned that peace dialogues have already begun under the first phase of reconciliation efforts and that a second round of talks will follow to consolidate stability in the area.
