A day after tensions erupted at Lapangap village along the disputed Meghalaya-Assam border, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong, termed the incident a “slight mistake” on Assam’s part for failing to inform Meghalaya about a plantation drive carried out by members of the Karbi community in a sensitive area.
Speaking to reporters today, Tynsong said the situation has since returned to normal, with the West Jaintia Hills district administration instructed to remain vigilant and maintain close coordination with its counterpart in Assam.
“The incident happened because the other side planted trees without informing us. As per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by both states, any developmental activity – be it plantation or construction – must be communicated in advance,” Tynsong said, pointing to a lapse in coordination between the district authorities of West Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong.
He acknowledged that Lapangap falls under the so-called areas of difference identified in the MoU and added that the Meghalaya government would formally protest the matter with Assam. He also confirmed that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has spoken directly with his Assam counterpart regarding the incident where villagers and members of pressure groups uprooted the saplings and demolished several structures, setting them alight in the process.
