By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 23: Exposing the collapse of recent border peace talks, the Hill Farmers’ Union (HFU) has petitioned the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) over the state’s failure to protect Lapangap farmers from continued harassment, stone-pelting, and “shifting” demands by Karbi groups backed by Assam Police.
The move signals a breakdown in trust toward the West Jaintia Hills district administration and police. The HFU alleges that despite multiple “peace meetings,” farmers remain barred from their fields, threatening the economic survival of the border community.
HFU general secretary A Kharsyntiew stated that a May 5 agreement—which was supposed to allow farmers back to their lands by May 8—was ignored. Instead, when villagers attempted to resume cultivation, they were met with stone-pelting from Karbi groups while Assam Police personnel actively stopped them from working.
“The situation has moved beyond the scope of district-level authorities,” Kharsyntiew said, noting that local officials appear unable to enforce order or provide safety.
The union also highlighted a pattern of shifting demands from the Karbi side. During a follow-up meeting on May 18, attended by the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Karbi representatives reportedly abandoned their initial concerns regarding the investigation into the death of one Orival Timung. Instead, they raised new objections regarding the planting of broom grass, bamboo, and trees in forest areas near Lapangap.
The HFU maintains that Lapangap residents have already agreed to mutual supervision of seasonal crops, yet Karbi groups continue to obstruct agricultural activities.
Further complicating the standoff is the unclear position of the neighbouring Tapat village. The HFU noted that Tapat’s silence has allowed officials to “pass the buck” to the Border Areas Committee—a body that many district-level officials reportedly do not fully understand.
“There is a total lack of clarity on how this committee functions,” Kharsyntiew said.
With no formal agreement emerging from the latest talks and the ground reality growing more volatile, the HFU has called for the direct intervention of the Meghalaya and Assam governments to ensure the basic right to livelihood for farmers in the flashpoint area.
