Meghalaya Dy CM visits Lapangap after clash over plantation drive
Tensions along the Assam-Meghalaya border have been on the rise in recent months, with the latest flashpoint being the plantation drive by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in Lapangap village. The dispute has led to clashes between local residents and KAAC officials, with the Assam government accusing Meghalaya of not taking steps to resolve the issue. In an effort to ease tensions, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar visited Lapangap village on June 25 to assess the situation and hold talks with local residents and authorities.
The plantation drive by KAAC, which began in May, aimed to plant saplings on a 1,000-acre plot of land in Lapangap village. However, local residents and NGOs from the area, including the Lapangap-Kharkutta Unification Committee, alleged that the land was part of Meghalaya’s territory and that the plantation drive was an attempt to encroach upon it. The residents, who numbered over 400, dismantled the structures and uprooted the saplings, sparking clashes with KAAC officials.
The incident has led to a significant escalation in tensions between the two states, with the Assam government accusing Meghalaya of not taking adequate measures to prevent the incident and resolve the issue. Meghalaya, on the other hand, has maintained that the land in question is part of its territory and that any plantation drive would require the consent of the state government.
During his visit to Lapangap village, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar met with local residents, including the president of the Lapangap-Kharkutta Unification Committee, to understand their concerns and grievances. Dhar also held talks with KAAC officials and other stakeholders to resolve the issue amicably.
According to sources, the Deputy Chief Minister assured the residents that the Meghalaya government would take all necessary steps to protect the state’s territorial integrity and prevent any further encroachment. He also urged the residents to maintain peace and harmony in the area, and to avoid any further clashes.
The Assam government, however, has accused Meghalaya of not taking adequate measures to prevent the incident and resolve the issue. Assam’s Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, has urged the Centre to intervene in the matter and resolve the border dispute between the two states.
The border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya is not new, with both states having a long history of disagreements over territorial claims. The issue has been further complicated by the presence of several ethnic groups in the region, each with their own claims and counter-claims over the territory.
The recent plantation drive by KAAC has highlighted the need for greater cooperation and dialogue between the two states to resolve the border dispute. The visit by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to Lapangap village is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that the talks held during the visit will lead to a peaceful resolution of the issue.
In conclusion, the clash over the plantation drive in Lapangap village has highlighted the need for greater cooperation and dialogue between Assam and Meghalaya to resolve the border dispute. The visit by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to the area is a positive step towards resolving the issue, and it is hoped that the talks held during the visit will lead to a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
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