Shillong, Sep 6: An official census enumeration drive at Noapara Lower Primary School in Langpih, conducted by authorities from Assam, ran into trouble after people from the Meghalaya side intervened in the disputed area.
Village headman Chankiyo Marak reached the census venue accompanied by Meghalaya police personnel and questioned the ongoing population count, claiming the area falls under Meghalaya’s jurisdiction. Census enumerators from Assam were in the middle of household verification when the confrontation broke out.
The altercation created a tense atmosphere at the school campus, which was being used as the base for the enumeration block. On being alerted, a team of Assam police rushed to the spot and escorted the census officials safely.
Residents said this is not an isolated incident. Langpih and adjoining villages along the Kamrup-West Khasi Hills boundary have witnessed repeated face-offs during government exercises – from surveys to development works – due to overlapping claims that remain unresolved.
Reacting to the incident, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council executive member Arjun Chhetri said frequent disruptions expose gaps in border security management.
Chhetri hit out at Meghalaya’s territorial claims over what he described as a part of Assam, saying presence of Garo and Khasi habitations cannot be grounds for claiming land. “If a Garo-Khasi village exists in Dispur, will Meghalaya claim Dispur as well? The logic is flawed,” he said, referring to Assam’s capital.
He urged both state governments and district administrations to strengthen coordination, deploy adequate security and ensure census staff and other field officials are able to carry out their duties without fear or obstruction.
