Shillong: Tension remains high in the disputed area of Lapangap as the understanding reached between the governments of Meghalaya and Assam has yet to produce significant change on the ground. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma confirmed that he is in regular contact with his Assam counterpart, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to defuse the situation. While both leaders aim to meet before the end of the month, official scheduling conflicts may push these discussions back by several days.
The standoff centers on the role of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and ongoing friction regarding agricultural rights. Villagers in the West Jaintia Hills region report being repeatedly blocked from cultivating and harvesting their land. Although Sangma maintains that Karbi Anglong authorities are cooperating, he acknowledged that the situation is complex and requires further work to address local grievances.
Local frustration reached the capital recently when residents and various community organizations marched to the Shillong Secretariat. The protesters demanded that an Assam Police camp be removed from Lum Pynthor and called for permanent security from the Meghalaya government to protect their farming activities. Additionally, villagers have raised concerns over GPS boundary lines on digital platforms, which they argue are being used to justify encroachment on Sixth Schedule land.
The unrest in Lapangap has simmered since 2023. Sangma noted that he has coordinated with district officials and local stakeholders dozens of times over the past ten days to prevent the dispute from escalating. He remains hopeful that continued dialogue will eventually resolve the longstanding issues.
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