Shillong, Oct 17: Opposition members of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) have demanded a special session on the recent violence between villagers along the Meghalaya-Assam border in the disputed Lapangap village.
In a letter to the JHADC CEM Thombor Shiwat, eight VPP MDCs said the session is to deliberate on the border issue and adopt a resolution affirming that the disputed land falls under the jurisdiction of the district council.
“Such a resolution is essential to uphold local autonomy, ensure the safety and security of the affected population, and maintain peace in the region,” the MDCs said.
The VPP MDCs said the escalating tensions have severely disrupted the lives and livelihoods of local farmers. “The recent incident during the paddy harvesting season has heightened unrest, exacerbating an already delicate situation. Compounding the issue, a public statement by the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council rejecting Meghalaya’s historical claim over Block I and Block II of West Karbi Anglong has further inflamed sentiments in the border region,” the MDCs said.
Last week one person from the Assam side died in a violent confrontation between the two sides when villagers from the Meghalaya side began harvesting rice along the disputed border.
Seeking urgent intervention, the JHADC MDCs said timely action is critical to prevent further escalation and to safeguard the interests of the people of Lapangap.
