Kohima, July 9, 2025 — Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday visited Lapangap village in West Jaintia Hills, a disputed border area with Assam, following a series of arson attacks and escalating tensions between communities on either side of the inter-state boundary.
The visit comes in the wake of recent incidents where unidentified individuals from Assam allegedly set fire to four thatched huts belonging to Pnar villagers of Meghalaya, damaging crops and property. The violence follows a June 25 protest in which over 400 villagers from Lapangap and nearby areas uprooted sandalwood saplings planted by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), accusing Assam of unauthorized encroachment.
Dhar, who also chairs the Regional Committee for West Jaintia Hills tasked with resolving the decades-old boundary dispute, was accompanied by Chief Executive Member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Thombor Shiwat, Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh, and Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanao. During his visit, Dhar inspected the affected paddy fields and met with villagers to assess the situation firsthand.
“Our people are totally against the plantation drive and have uprooted all the saplings. As of now, there is no more plantation in the area,” Dhar stated, reaffirming Meghalaya’s stance on maintaining the status quo in disputed territories. He expressed concern that villagers are unable to access their agricultural lands due to security fears and pledged to initiate discussions with Assam authorities to ensure safe access.
To stabilize the situation, 40 police personnel have been deployed in Lapangap. Dhar also announced that the Deputy Commissioners of West Jaintia Hills and West Karbi Anglong will soon convene to explore a resolution.
The Lapangap area is part of a broader border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, which spans 12 contested regions along their 885-km boundary. In March 2022, both states signed a Memorandum of Understanding resolving six of these areas. Talks on the remaining six, including Lapangap, are expected later this year.
The Meghalaya government reiterated its commitment to peaceful dialogue and equitable resolution, while assuring affected residents of continued support and protection.
