Correspondent
JOWAI, JUN 2: Meghalaya and Assam governments on Tuesday agreed to maintain the status quo on cultivation practices in the disputed Lapangap area.
The agreement was arrived at during a high-level meeting held at the Assam Police Camp which was attended by senior political leaders, senior civil and police officials, and representatives of local bodies from both states.
Following detailed deliberations, both sides agreed to allow villagers from Lapangap (Meghalaya) to cultivate in the fields and villagers from Tahpat (Assam) will continue plantation of seasonal crops on the hilltops and slopes.
“The Meghalaya villagers will cultivate paddy in the fields and the villagers from Assam will cultivate crops such as banana, pineapple, ginger and other similar crops on the hilltops and slopes,” a Meghalaya official said.
The two sides also decided that the matter relating to permanent boundary demarcation in the area of difference shall be considered and decided later by the appropriate committee at the State level between the two sides.
“Both sides shall maintain peace, harmony and tranquility and shall refrain from any activity that may create disturbance or affect the prevailing law and order situation,” the official added.
The meeting was convened after Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati recently, and both agreed to diffuse the volatile situation in the area as a temporary measure until the boundary issue is resolved permanently.
The Meghalaya side was represented by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Principal Secretary Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Commissioner and Secretary Cyril V. Diengdoh, Secretary Garod L.S.N. Dykes, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat, West Jaintia Hills District Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Singh, district police chief Jagpal Singh Dhanoa and others.
While the Assam side was represented by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member, Tuliram Ronghang, MP Amarsing Tisso, Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Political) Ajay Kumar Tiwari, MLA and Executive Member, KAAC, Surjya Rongphar, West Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner, Preeti Kumari, the district police chief Dinesh Kumar and others.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Member of KAAC Ronghang said the meeting concluded on a very positive note, with villagers from both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the border area.
He added: “They further resolved that any misunderstanding or confusion arising in the future would be settled through dialogue and mutual consultation, without resorting to any form of violence.”
“I am pleased to share that the villagers of both Lapangap and Tahpat unanimously resolved that the disputed areas, including both the plains and hills situated along the natural boundary notified in 1951 by the Governor of Assam, known as the Umsati River, may continue to be utilised for livelihood activities and cultivation that are purely seasonal in nature.” Ronghang stated on X.
Ronghang said that Deputy Chief Minister Dhar has also expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the discussions.