Nongpoh, Aug 18: A tense situation unfolded in Maikhuli village after local residents dismantled electricity poles that had been erected by the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB). The incident led to a confrontation and clashes between villagers from Meghalaya and Assam.
According to reports, the villagers of Maikhuli first pulled down an electricity pole installed by the ASEB near the Maikhuli pond early in the morning. After completing the act, they returned to their homes.
The village lies along the disputed and sensitive inter-state border between Assam and Meghalaya.
However, following the removal of the poles, some individuals from Assam reportedly began questioning and seeking out a few residents of Meghalaya over the incident. When news of this spread, villagers from Maikhuli gathered at the site, which eventually escalated into heated arguments and a physical clash between the two sides.
During the confrontation, some women from Maikhuli had their clothes torn after being manhandled in the scuffle involving men and women from Assam.
On receiving information about the incident, district authorities from both Meghalaya and Assam rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The intervention managed to disperse the groups from both sides.
Subsequently, the district administrations of Meghalaya and Assam decided to form a peace committee to restore harmony and foster goodwill among the residents of Maikhuli.
