Villagers along the Meghalaya-Assam border continued to attack each other with bows, arrows and slingshots as additional police forces were rushed to Lapangap village in West Jaiñtia Hills district.
Tensions flared up since yesterday after farmers were allegedly prevented from harvesting their crops at Tahpat.
Source said, the attack ended last evening but again started at around 12:30 pm today.
West Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner Batlang S Sohliya said magistrates and police force were at the spot to maintain peace and pacify the people from both sides. He maintained the land belongs to Lapangap’s people and they have been cultivating it. “All they need is to harvest their produce,” he said.
Superintendent of Police, Chemphang Syrti said adequate force was at the spot and that things were being managed. “Two platoons under a deputy police superintendent’s watch were at the scene to ensure peace and tranquillity along the border.”
Lapangap village is located in the border of West Jaiñtia Hills District and West Karbi Anglong District. Last week, the dorbar shnong had put up a written request before the Deputy Commissioner seeking deployment of central forces in the village to prevent any attempt by local Karbi population to destroy plantations.
Meanwhile cabinet minister and MDA spokesperson, Paul Lyngdoh told reporters that the Chief Minister has spoken to his Assam counterpart on the clashes and a meeting between them is scheduled soon.
“Skirmishes have been there is the past and this will end once we are able to resolve the border dispute. Once the final MoU is entered with Assam before 2023 ends, we will see the domino effect that will keep a check on such skirmishes,” Lyngdoh said.
He further said that the shortage of manpower in the police department will also be addressed when 1500 more vacancies are filled by next year.
Lyngdoh informed that 2500 new recruits are under training. “So once we fill the other 1500 vacancies we will have a total of 4000 plus joining the forces.”
