Peace Meeting Held to Address Tensions at Assam-Meghalaya Border

Efforts to Restore Peace Along the Border

Guwahati, Oct 21: To promote tranquility at the Assam-Meghalaya border, officials from both states gathered for a peace meeting at the Khanduli Border Outpost (BOP) on Monday.

The meeting was led by SP Sarma, the Deputy Commissioner of West Karbi Anglong, alongside GH Passah, the Border Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills. Senior police officials, local leaders, and members of peace committees from both regions were also present.

During the discussions, officials reached a consensus to allow immediate paddy harvesting in the areas of Tahpat and Lapangap, recognizing the critical nature of the agricultural season.

Sarma highlighted that both village headmen had committed to ensuring no further disturbances during the harvest period and urged community members to remain calm.

He also called on both communities to refrain from politicizing the situation, emphasizing that cooperation and peace are vital for restoring normalcy.

The Deputy Commissioner mentioned that the West Jaintia Hills administration has promised full support in identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the killing of Timung on October 9.

Legal actions will be pursued under the Indian Penal Code and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Sarma praised the local peace committees and community leaders for their role in averting further conflict, stressing the importance of maintaining law and order while allowing agricultural activities to continue without interruption.

The meeting concluded with a joint resolution reaffirming the commitment of both administrations to uphold peace, ensure accountability, and prevent future violence along the interstate border.

This meeting comes in the wake of a recent altercation between villagers from both states at Lapangap, which resulted in the death of aresident of Tahpat in West Karbi Anglong.

The clash erupted over disputes regarding paddy harvesting in the contested area, occurring shortly after the Inter-State Border Peace Committee had decided to halt agricultural activities there.

The incident resulted in the death of 45-year-old Oriwel Timung, escalating tensions between Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills and Tahpat in West Karbi Anglong.