Jowai, Aug 8: The Lapangap Unit of the Jaiñtia Students’ Movement (JSM), along with the village elders of Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills District, on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and raised several demands regarding problems arising from cultivation activities by people from the Karbi community in Lum Pynthor, Lapangap.
The delegation informed the Deputy Chief Minister that farmers from Lapangap are currently unable to construct temporary shelters at the site where they go to harvest paddy due to the presence of people from Karbi and Assam Police personnel in the area.
During the discussion, the Deputy Chief Minister assured them that talks would be held with the Assam government to resolve the matter.
The JSM Lapangap unit and village elders pointed out that the Lapangap Dorbar Shnong had never given permission to people from Assam to cultivate land that falls within Lapangap village in Meghalaya. In view of this, they demanded that the alleged illegal cultivation activities be stopped immediately.
Another demand placed before the Deputy Chief Minister was for the immediate relocation of the police camp currently situated within Lapangap village to a location near Lum Pynthor. The delegation said this was necessary so that farmers going to cultivate their fields in the area can feel safe while carrying out agricultural activities.
Dhar assured them that he would discuss the matter with the concerned departments and take it up at the appropriate level.
Regarding the alleged illegal construction of a Permanent Outpost by Assam at Lum Pynthor, which has been strongly opposed by the residents of Lapangap and members of the JSM Lapangap Unit, the delegation demanded that the outpost be removed from the area.
With regard to the demarcation of the boundary between the two states, the organisation urged the Deputy Chief Minister to expedite the process as much as possible in order to prevent disputes from arising in the future.
Dhar assured them that he would do whatever was necessary to address the matter and ensure that the interests of the people of Lapangap are protected.
The JSM Lapangap Unit and the residents made it clear that if the government fails to take the matter seriously even after the complaint has been submitted, they will resort to stronger forms of agitation after the paddy harvesting season is over.
