By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 18: Tension flared in the disputed Lapangap area on the Meghalaya-Assam border on Monday following an incident of stone-pelting and a minor confrontation between people from both sides. One person sustained injuries in the latest escalation.
The incident occurred shortly after a meeting between the two sides ended peacefully but without any resolution.
West Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said one person sustained minor injuries in the confrontation involving NGO members from both sides. He said additional security forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and ensure safety.
According to Dhanoa, the meeting, held in the presence of officials, including Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of both states, remained inconclusive as disagreements persisted over farming and plantation activities in the disputed area.
He said Meghalaya villagers showed utmost sagacity by proposing joint cultivation of highlands/hillocks by people from both sides for seasonal crops until the boundary issue is resolved.
However, the Assam side reportedly objected to the proposal and instead, pushed for tree plantations in the area. This was opposed outright by the Meghalaya representatives who argued that plantations are semi-permanent in nature and could complicate future settlement of the dispute by the boundary commission.
Dhanoa said senior Meghalaya government officials are in touch with the Assam side, and any decision on the resumption of farming activities will be communicated once the situation improves.
The Lapangap issue has remained a matter of concern, with villagers from West Jaintia Hills alleging repeated obstruction of cultivation and harvesting activities in the disputed area.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said some issues are still pending resolution and further talks may continue over the next few days.
He said representatives of villages from both sides attended the meeting and that the discussions were peaceful but remained inconclusive as some issues are yet to be resolved.
“There are still some points to be settled and it may take another day or two,” Dhar said, adding that no decision has yet been taken on the resumption of farming activities in the disputed area.
He clarified that the meeting was focused specifically on the Lapangap situation and not on the larger boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya. He also said that the Chief Ministers of the two states are closely coordinating on the matter.
The latest talks come amid mounting pressure from the residents of Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills, who, supported by the Khasi Students’ Union and several Jaintia Hills-based organisations, recently took out a march to the Secretariat in Shillong to protest the continuing restrictions on farming activities in the area.
The villagers demanded the immediate relocation of an Assam Police camp from Lum Pynthor and deployment of permanent Meghalaya security forces to protect their agricultural rights. They also raised concerns over the “GPS boundary line” reflected on digital platforms like Google Maps, alleging that Assam authorities are using such demarcations to encroach upon Sixth Schedule areas.
The Lapangap situation has remained tense since 2023, with villagers alleging that Karbi groups backed by Assam Police have repeatedly obstructed cultivation and harvesting activities in the area.
