One person dies, several injured during border clash at Lapangap, WJ Hills
Shillong, Oct 9: Night curfew has been imposed at Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills district along Meghalaya-Assam border after one person died and several injured during a clash between two groups from both sides.
The deadly clash happened despite efforts by Meghalaya and Assam police to maintain peace in the region, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Thursday.
Tynsong said villagers from Lapangap went to collect paddy from their fields under police supervision when a Karbi group from Assam arrived, leading to a fight that resulted in the death of one Orivel Timung (45) from Tahpat village. Some police personnel and other villagers also sustained injuries during the incident.
Informing about the night curfew clamped at Lapangap and that curfew was imposed by Assam government as well, he said, “Hopefully by tonight we will be able to control the situation.”
Appealing to the public to remain calm and respect the law, the deputy CM said, “Right now my only appeal to our own people is better to be cool and calm… they should not come out and let the police force take full control of that area.”
He also said the issue is currently being taken up at the level of chief secretary, DGP, DC and SP of both the states.
Regional Committee advised to visit Lapangap
The Regional Committee for West Jaintia Hills district has been tasked to conduct a visit to Lapangap following the clash between Karbi and Pnar villagers, claiming he life of a Karbi person.
Informing about his meeting with deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who heads the Regional Committee, deputy chief minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong said he had suggested Dhar to conduct a joint visit to Lapangap to appeal to the border villagers from both sides to maintain status quo pending solution to the long-pending border dispute in the area.
“I suggested to him that better you contact your counterpart and if need be, just go to the ground… just go there and make people understand…,” Tynsong said.
Meanwhile, he admitted that the area is one of the disputed areas between the neighbouring states.
A proposed joint inspection by regional committees from both states has been delayed due to election preparations in Assam, he said.
Despite the state government’s request for joint inspection, the Assam side “has not been able to accommodate our schedule”, he said.
“So, these are the issues… we can’t reach the convenient time… we are not able to conduct the joint inspection as mandated by the notification,” he added.
Tynsong assured that the government is committed to resolve the six remaining areas of differences.
“We’ve made this issue a priority as we are really concerned about it and our Chief Minister has already discussed it with the Assam CM. We’re awaiting the outcome of their discussions,” he said while referring to the second phase of border talks held in June.
