Village farmers, NGOs stage protest march to Secretariat
Shillong, May 13: The state government has assured to deploy adequate forces in Lapangap village along Meghalaya-Assam from Thursday in view of the alleged harassment from Assam side hampering farming activities of the villagers.
The government decision was prompted by a protest march by hundreds of villagers to the Secretariat demanding security of the farmers.
The protest was led by the Dorbar Shnong of Lapangap village and supported by several NGOs.
“The people of Lapangap village and some of the NGOs met me regarding this issue. Over the past few days, there have been incidents. It is the season for farmers to begin cultivation, but there have been disturbances from the Karbi (Assam) side,” Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar told reporters after a meeting with a delegation of protesters.
He assured that adequate security will be deployed in the village from Thursday.
“We had a very fruitful meeting. I have assured them that the government will do its utmost to protect our people and ensure that peace is maintained as usual,” he said.
However, Dhar clarified that the discussion did not pertain to the interstate boundary.
“Today’s discussion was not about the border issue. We discussed their livelihood in Lapangap village…. The border issue is a matter to be taken up at the state level,” Dhar said.
“They (delegation) came to request intervention as some Karbi individuals have been disturbing them, and we have assured them that we will deploy full force from tomorrow onwards to ensure that cultivation can proceed without any disturbance,” he added.
On whether the State is raising the matter with Assam, Dhar said, “Obviously, we have discussed it. The deputy commissioners from both sides will hold discussions — they have already spoken in the past few days — but further discussions are needed. Since Assam has formed a new government, our Chief Minister has told me that he will take up this issue with the Assam Chief Minister.”
“Because this area lies along the border, we are waiting for the Assam government to appoint the new chairman of the regional committee from their side. Once that is done, we will decide and meet our counterparts at an appropriate time,” he said.
“We have assured the Lapangap delegation that sufficient force will be provided so that their activities are not disrupted,” Dhar stated.
“There is already a presence there, but additional force is required. We are therefore deploying more personnel to ensure the safety and security of people living along the border. We will deploy as needed,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lapangap village assistant headman Samkhih Situng said the village’s primary demand was “to give full protection to the farmers.”
“We had a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, and he assured us that from tomorrow onwards, the farmers of Lapangap village can continue with cultivation,” Situng said.
He warned of taking further steps to protect the farmers during cultivation if the government’s assurance is not implemented.
Describing the harassment faced by villagers, Situng said, “We face harassment constantly. We cultivate our land and carry out ploughing, but people from the Karbi side come at night to destroy our paddy fields.”
“We are not 100 percent, but 95 percent satisfied with the government’s decision. We hope the government will take the Lapangap issue very seriously and provide adequate security so that we can carry out cultivation freely. We want full deployment of forces, including SF-10,” he said.
“The Inspector General and Superintendent of Police of West Jaintia Hills were also present at the meeting, and they assured us that from tomorrow onwards, full force will be deployed to provide security and protection to Lapangap farmers,” Situng added.
