Tensions rose again on Wednesday along the Assam-Meghalaya border after more than 400 villagers from Lapangap and nearby areas in Meghalaya’s West Jaiñtia Hills entered a disputed plantation site. The protesters were supported by student unions and local pressure groups.
They accused the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) of Assam of illegally planting trees on Meghalaya’s land. In response, they dismantled wooden structures and uprooted hundreds of saplings. The confrontation turned violent when Assam Police fired five rounds of tear gas to control the crowd.
Karbi locals reportedly set fire to two temporary shelters at the site.
Police Say Situation Under Control
District Superintendent of Police Chemphang Syrti said, “A crowd of around 400 entered the plantation area and uprooted the saplings. Both administrations attempted to contain and disperse the crowd. The situation is now under control.”
The protest took place in Block I, a long-disputed area on the 884.9-km boundary between Assam and Meghalaya.
KAAC Acted Without Coordination, Say Meghalaya Officials
West Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh confirmed that the plantation was done by KAAC “without any prior coordination.” He noted that this move came despite ongoing peace efforts.
“We had advised restraint as a peace meeting was scheduled at Tahpat village in the morning. But the Assam side didn’t turn up, prompting villagers to take matters into their own hands,” Singh said. He added that the plantation activity has now stopped and that police and three border magistrates are monitoring the situation.
Civil Society Backs the Protest
Several student and civil groups openly supported the protest. A leader of the Khasi Students’ Union said, “This is a message. We will defend our land if the state cannot. Despite tear gas, we didn’t retreat.”
Neilkee Mukhim, General Secretary of the Jaiñtia Students’ Union, also accused Assam of breaking a peace deal. “They resumed planting despite prior understanding. Today’s action was necessary,” he said.
Border Talks and Past Violence
This protest happened just weeks after Assam and Meghalaya held their second round of chief minister-level talks on June 2 in Guwahati.
The first meeting took place on May 17, 2023, when both Chief Ministers—Conrad K. Sangma from Meghalaya and Himanta Biswa Sarma from Assam—agreed to visit disputed areas like Block I and Block II.
But momentum stalled after the Mukroh firing incident on November 22, 2023. Six people, including a forest guard, died after a truck allegedly carrying illegal timber was intercepted. That deadly clash triggered widespread anger and halted peace talks for months.
History of the Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute
The root of the issue goes back to 1972, when Meghalaya became a separate state. The border was drawn based on the Assam Reorganisation Act of 1971. Meghalaya has never fully accepted this arrangement.
Over the years, both states have held 32 official meetings. The dispute involves 12 areas covering over 2,700 square kilometres.
Breakthrough in 2022 But Challenges Remain
In March 2022, both states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The deal resolved six of the 12 disputed areas. Assam retained 18.46 sq km and Meghalaya got 18.33 sq km—an almost equal division.
This agreement was seen as a model of cooperation, but the remaining six areas—including Block I and II—remain sensitive due to ethnic claims, local resistance, and lack of enforcement.
Next Steps: Pillars, Satellites, and Shared Projects
During the June 2024 meeting, both CMs agreed to mark boundaries in the six resolved areas by August 15, 2025.
They also agreed to let the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) conduct a satellite survey. This will map forest lines, drainage systems, and village patterns in the remaining contested zones.
CM Conrad Sangma said, “Once the NESAC survey is complete within three months, we’ll engage technical experts like IIT Roorkee to analyse the data and suggest actionable solutions.” He added, “It’s not just about border lines—this is about understanding the terrain, the people, and the ecosystem.”
States Plan Joint Hydroelectric Project
The two states also plan to work together on the Kulsi hydroelectric and irrigation project. Local communities will be consulted before construction begins.
Sangma called it “a symbol of Assam-Meghalaya friendship,” saying it could boost electricity, farming, and tourism.
Ground Tensions Persist Despite Talks
Despite progress in official meetings, Wednesday’s protest at Lapangap shows that emotions on the ground remain high.
A fresh peace meeting between Lapangap and Tahpat village leaders is planned for Thursday. It remains to be seen whether this will ease the conflict or lead to more unrest.
The Road Ahead
Even after 32 rounds of talks and multiple high-level meetings, peace on the Assam-Meghalaya border is still fragile. Science, dialogue, and cooperation are all part of the plan—but the defiance shown at Lapangap proves that words alone won’t bring peace.