Shillong, Oct 19: The chairman of the Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF), Chandame Sungoh, has provided insight into the recent clashes between the Pnar and Karbi communities at Lapangap, a border village between Meghalaya and Assam.
According to Sungoh, Lapangap is a centuries-old village under the Elaka Chiliang Myntang, while Tahpatap is a village inhabited by the Karbi since 1937 after land was given by the people of Lapangap. Historically, the two communities coexisted peacefully, with the Karbi working as wage labourers on the Pnars’ farmlands.
He said the tensions began with the construction of a road from Lapangap to Khanduli, passing through Lakaroi. The situation worsened in 2020-2021 when the Assam government forcefully constructed a road at Pdeiñcharieñ, falling under Lapangap. The Karbi community’s claims to the land, based on the Assam government notification of 1951, further exacerbated tensions.
Sungoh said that in 2023 the Karbi uprooted saplings planted by the residents of Lapangap at Lumpynthor. Later, the residents of Lapangap and various pressure groups uprooted tree saplings planted by the Karbi.
The clashes intensified in July-August 2023 and continued into 2024. On May 29, 2025, a resident of Lapangap, S Tellme Talang, was murdered, allegedly by Karbi miscreants.The situation further escalated in October, when the Karbi attacked villagers on their farms, and on October 9, a Karbi named Oriwell Timung died.
He said the Meghalaya and Assam governments enforced a curfew to prevent any untoward incidents. The Elaka Chiliang Myntang and Dorbar Shnong Lapangap have written to the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills, seeking a resolution to the issue. The Joint Action Committee on Border Issues has also submitted a letter to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya.
He said even though the Assam and Meghalaya governments have asked the Dorbar Shnong Lapangap and Dorbar Shnong Tahpat to resolve the issue amicably, the outcome of the talks between the two Dorbar Shnongs is yet to be ascertained.
