Jowai, Oct 22: The stand-off over paddy harvesting at Lapangap village along the Assam-Meghalaya border in West Jaintia Hills district ended today as hundreds of people joined farmers to reap the staple crop.
Before the harvest, a meeting was convened by district officials of both the states wherein Waheh Shnong of Lapangap Deimonmi Lyngdoh and representative of Tahpat, Olingson Timung signed an agreement to maintain peace and order in the disputed area while both the states work on resolving the boundary dispute.
It was also agreed in writing that tree plantation, livestock grazing and farming should be allowed in the area without further disruption.
The two village heads agreed to aid authorities to identify people involved in the death of Oriwel Timung of Tahpat village, who died on October 8 following a clash between the two groups.
Leaders from Synjuk ki Waheh Chnong Ri Jaintia (conglomerate of village heads from Jaintia Hills) and leaders of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People, Khasi Students Union and Jaintia Students Union joined farmers in harvesting the paddy.
Security forces from both Assam and Meghalaya were deployed during the harvest with no untoward incident reported.
