Shillong, May 13: Residents of Lapangap village, which lies along the Meghalaya-Assam border, met Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday over alleged obstruction by Assam authorities to cultivation of their land.
The day began with villagers accompanied by members of pressure groups, marching to the Secretariat to raise the issue. The protest was led by the Dorbar Shnong of Lapangap. A brief scuffle broke out when protesters tried to enter the Secretariat but police personnel on duty prevented them from doing so.
The residents said authorities from Assam were disturbing them and stopping them from cultivating their crops. They demonstrated outside the Secretariat demanding safety and security, especially during the cultivation season.
Dhar said the government will do its best to protect Meghalaya residents and urged the villagers to maintain peace. He assured them that security would be provided so they could cultivate their fields without hindrance from the Assam side.
The Deputy CM added that discussions on the matter have already taken place at the level of Deputy Commissioners. With a new government now in place in Assam, he said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had informed him that the issue will be taken up with his Assam counterpart.
The village has seen tensions rise before. In October last year clashes between residents on both sides of the border led to the death of a man from Assam in a dispute over a paddy field. Three Meghalayans were subsequently arrested on suspicion of having a hand in the death.
