Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The government of Meghalaya has committed to deploying additional security personnel in the border village of Lapangap, located in the West Jaintia Hills. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar made the announcement following a meeting with local residents and village leaders who marched to the state secretariat on May 13 to voice concerns regarding their safety and livelihoods.
The protest was prompted by repeated reports of harassment and the deliberate destruction of agricultural crops. According to villagers, individuals from the Karbi Anglong district in Assam have been interfering with farming activities, particularly during the current cultivation season. Samkhih Situng, the Assistant Rangbah Shnong of Lapangap, noted that farmers are frequently targeted at night while working on their own land. He expressed cautious optimism, stating that the village remains largely satisfied with the official assurances provided by the government.
Deputy Chief Minister Dhar clarified that the intervention is focused specifically on the immediate protection of residents and their agricultural interests rather than the broader, ongoing interstate boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam. While some security forces are already stationed in the area, the government has determined that an increased police presence is necessary to maintain stability and enable farmers to work without fear.
Authorities have already initiated preliminary discussions with their counterparts in Assam to address the situation. Deputy commissioners from both regions are expected to hold further consultations in the coming days. Additionally, Meghalaya is awaiting the formal appointment of a new chairman for the regional committee from Assam to resume broader discussions concerning interstate border matters.
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