Guwahati, June 25: Tensions flared again along the disputed Assam-Meghalaya border after a violent incident broke out in Tahpat Village, West Karbi Anglong district, on Wednesday. A group of around 400 people from Meghalaya’s Lapangap and nearby villages in West Jaintia Hills allegedly crossed into Assam at around 11:30 am, targeting a nursery and plantation site maintained by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
The intruders, primarily from the Khasi-Pnar community, claimed that the land belonged to Meghalaya and accused KAAC of encroaching through the plantation. The group uprooted sandalwood saplings spread over 2 to 3 bighas, set fire to labourers’ huts, and destroyed equipment, including generators and utensils.
One local resident, Ondro Terang (25) of Tahpat Village, sustained injuries during the confrontation.
Police personnel stationed at the plantation acted swiftly to prevent further escalation. Additional forces from the West Karbi Anglong district headquarters in Hamren were deployed, and order was restored. “The situation is under control as the police acted promptly,” said District Commissioner Saranga Pani Sarma.
While the Karbi community asserts the disputed land lies within Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, the Khasi-Pnar group maintains it is part of Lapangap village in Meghalaya.
Reactions from KAAC officials are still awaited.
This area is one of six major flashpoints between Assam and Meghalaya, where border disputes remain unresolved. Although both states had planned a joint visit to the West Karbi Anglong–West Jaintia Hills sector in September last year, the visit was abruptly cancelled. No follow-up visit has taken place, despite recent border talks held in Guwahati between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 30.
The latest clash recalls the deadly violence of November 22, 2022, in Mukroh, where five people, including an Assam home guard, were killed.
