There was a stand-off between residents of Ri-Bhoi and Assam in the disputed Maikhuli village, which was resolved by the quick intervention of the authorities.
Assam residents erected a bamboo barricade to block the road to a stone crusher plant operated by one Sureka Enterprises.
They were demanding the creation of a culvert for proper drainage, the lack of which was causing problems in road transportation, they claimed. They were seeking construction of the culvert and drain in front of the Assam Police’s border outpost.
The road had recently been repaired, with pavers installed by Sureka Enterprises after consultations with headmen from both sides as a gesture of goodwill as the company’s trucks also use the road.
The road blockade agitated residents of Maikhuli on the Meghalaya side, leading to a large gathering on site. Police and other civil officials from both Assam and Meghalaya then rushed to the spot to diffuse tensions.
The intervention of the officials led to the removal of the bamboo barricade and peaceful dispersal of the villagers. The magistrates instructed that no construction work should proceed at the site until discussions are held at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) level between the two states.