A tense situation unfolded on Wednesday morning at Lapangap village along the disputed Assam-Meghalaya border, as hundreds of villagers and activists uprooted saplings and set ablaze wooden structures erected for a plantation drive initiated by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) of Assam.
Tension Flares at Assam-Meghalaya Border
According to official sources, around 400 people from Lapangap and neighbouring villages in Meghalaya, supported by members of several social organisations including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), marched to the plantation site around 11 am. The group dismantled makeshift structures and pulled out saplings planted by KAAC, claiming the initiative was an attempt by the State to encroach upon Meghalaya’s land.
The plantation drive had reportedly been carried out without prior coordination with the Meghalaya district administration, leading to allegations of unilateral action by the State’s authorities. Police forces were swiftly deployed to control the escalating situation.
Disputed Territory Sparks Local Fury
The incident occurred on a hill in Lapangap village, a region that both West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong district of Assam claim as their own. While Lapangap village itself is generally considered to fall within Meghalaya’s jurisdiction, the specific hill where the plantation was undertaken remains disputed, with both sides asserting ownership.
Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills, Abhinav Kumar Singh, confirmed that the KAAC had conducted the plantation without informing either district administration. “We first received information about the activity a week ago and had restrained our villagers from approaching the site, as a peace meeting was scheduled for today (Wednesday),” Singh told PTI.
However, the planned meeting at nearby Tahpat village did not take place as anticipated representatives failed to show up. The absence of dialogue led to heightened frustration among local residents, ultimately culminating in Wednesday’s protest action.
Law Enforcement Steps In
To maintain order, heavy police deployment was carried out in the area. Border magistrates from both states, accompanied by civic officials and police from Karbi Anglong, also visited the site to assess the situation and engage with local leaders.
DC Singh said that the situation was brought under control without any casualties. “Adequate security has been stationed at the location. Three border magistrates have been assigned to ensure coordination with their Assam counterparts,” he said. Singh added that another peace meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, this time at the village level, involving headmen and local council members to ensure a more grassroots-led conflict resolution.
“The objective now is to involve community leaders directly in discussions so that such flashpoints can be prevented in the future and the previously agreed status quo is maintained,” Singh added.
Clashes Amid Ongoing Border Dispute
The latest clash is a stark reminder of the longstanding tensions between Assam and Meghalaya, which have remained unresolved for decades despite several rounds of talks. The two northeastern states share an 884.9-kilometre-long border and have historically disputed 12 stretches of land.
In March 2022, both states signed a landmark agreement in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to amicably resolve disputes in six of those areas. Under that agreement, Assam retained control over 18.46 square kilometres of land while Meghalaya received 18.33 square kilometres, covering a total of 36.79 square kilometres in the first phase.
However, the remaining six areas — including Lapangap — are part of a more complex second phase of negotiations, with deeper historical and ethnic sensitivities involved.
Local Organisations Take a Stand
Speaking to media after Wednesday’s incident, KSU general secretary Neilkee Mukhim accused Assam of violating prior understandings by initiating the plantation without mutual consent. “We fully support the residents of Lapangap. The plantation carried out by Karbi people is a direct challenge to our territorial rights. We had no choice but to dismantle the structures and defend our land,” he said.
Mukhim further claimed that Assam Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, but added that such tactics would not deter local resistance against any encroachment attempts. “We will continue to defend our ancestral lands. This is not just about trees or fences—it’s about identity and sovereignty,” he said.
Way Forward: Dialogue and Status Quo
Amid the mounting tension, both state administrations have reiterated their commitment to peaceful negotiations. Past meetings at the DC and SP levels had concluded with a consensus to maintain status quo in all disputed areas until an official settlement is reached.
Officials on both sides are now banking on the success of Thursday’s grassroots-level peace meeting to calm tempers and open channels for better coordination.
“Ultimately, the solution lies in dialogue—not unilateral actions or public confrontations,” a senior Meghalaya official said on condition of anonymity. “If local communities are brought into the peace-building process, we may finally be able to sustain calm along the border.”
Meghalaya, which was carved out of Assam in 1972, continues to battle border disputes that reflect broader challenges in the Northeast’s political and ethnic landscape. As Lapangap’s residents await Thursday’s meeting, the focus now shifts to whether grassroots diplomacy can achieve what high-level talks have so far struggled to ensure — lasting peace on the ground.
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