Cabinet minister and government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh today dismissed reports of any assault of a man today at Lapangap and stated that the government has done its best to minimise conflict at ground zero and maintain peace.
He assured that the situation at Lapangap along the disputed Meghalaya-Assam border is under control, with enhanced police presence aimed at addressing the sense of insecurity among residents following recent tensions in the disputed area.
Responding to concerns raised by pressure groups and locals over inadequate security, Lyngdoh said, “Initially, a 10-member police team was rushed to the site. As of today, we have 30 personnel – 15 from the 1st MLP Battalion and 15 from the 3rd MLP Battalion – stationed at a makeshift camp in Lapangap under the direct supervision of the West Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police.”
On June 25 a crowd of over 400 people from Lapangap village and adjoining areas, backed up by members of pressure groups, dismantled and burned a wooden structure and uprooted tree saplings as a mark of protest against plantation activities carried out by Assam’s Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
Lyngdoh added that the increased deployment is a reflection of the Meghalaya government’s seriousness in ensuring the safety of its people. “That sense of fear may still linger but the ground reality has improved significantly. We are managing the situation well and we expect the matter to be resolved through discussions at the regional committee level,” he said.
When asked whether there are plans to set up a permanent police camp, Lyngdoh clarified that both Assam and Meghalaya currently have only temporary camps in the area. “Once the boundary issue in this sector is resolved at the regional committee level, the question of establishing permanent security infrastructure can be addressed,” he stated.
Earlier, Lyngdoh said that the border negotiations, the second phase of which have been proceeding at a snail’s pace, will result in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to place five villages under Meghalaya control by August 15. These are mostly Garo-inhabited villages and will not cover the Lapangap area. “Before the end of this government’s term we hope to finally resolve the boundary dispute with Assam,” he added.
Meanwhile, Khasi Students Union (KSU) general secretary Donald V Thabah recalled that during the recent clash at Lapangap, it was the timely intervention of the district administration that helped bring the situation under control. However, he expressed concern over the reported assault of a local resident who was allegedly attacked while travelling to procure medicine.
“We in the KSU will sit and deliberate on this matter,” Thabah said. “We will observe the situation for now.”
