Deputy CM Dhar assures of resolving tension along disputed border
Shillong, July 8: Status quo has been maintained along the disputed border near Lapangap village in West Jaintia Hills district, but the villagers have not been able to return to their paddy fields due to security concern from Assam side.
“Status quo is being maintained, but our people cannot go to their paddy fields now,” said deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who visited the paddy field belonging to the village under Dhar’s Nartiang constituency on Tuesday.
He assured to resolve the recent tension that rose its ugly head once again following an illegal plantation drive by Assam violating the status quo agreed by both states in the disputed region.
“Our people are totally against the plantation drive and they recently went and uprooted all the saplings. As of now, there is no more plantation (in that place),” Dhar said.
Assuring the villagers affected by fear of going to their paddy fields, he said, “We will discuss this issue in the coming days so that at least they (villagers) can move freely like before so there is no disturbances amongst them,” Dhar said.
Deputy commissioners from both sides will be meeting soon to resolve the issue, he said.
Meanwhile, around 40 police personnel have been deployed at Lapangap to ensure safety of the villagers.
Admitting that there has been no proposal for construction of road from Lapangap since the two regional border committees are yet to meet, Dhar said, “We are waiting for the meeting of two regional committees, which is likely to take place after the elections in Assam (2026).”
The deputy chief minister was accompanied by JHADC chief Thombor Shiwat, MDCs, deputy commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh and superintendent of police Jagpal Singh Dhanao.
On June 25, tension erupted along Meghalaya border after a crowd of over 400 from Lapangap village and adjoining villages in West Jaintia Hills along with NGOs dismantled wooden structures and uprooted tree saplings as a mark of protest against the plantation activities carried by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
The villagers claimed that the plantation was carried out inside Meghalaya territory.
“Our people are totally against the plantation drive and they recently went and uprooted all the saplings. As of now, there is no more plantation (in that place),” he added.
