Shillong, Oct 14: Residents of Lapangap village in West Jaintia Hills District, located along the sensitive Meghalaya–Assam border, have expressed growing anxiety over the lack of police protection during the ongoing paddy harvesting season, saying their livelihood is at serious risk.
A delegation from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Border Areas, accompanied by Lapangap headman Deimonmi Lyngdoh, met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar recently to highlight the hardships faced by border villagers who depend heavily on agriculture.
After the meeting, Lyngdoh told reporters that the Chief Minister had assured them of taking up the matter seriously and holding discussions with the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council to maintain peace and prevent further conflict.
“The Chief Minister assured that he would do his best to speak with the Karbi Anglong authorities to ensure peace and to prevent any future conflicts like those that happened earlier,” Lyngdoh said.
The JAC, however, voiced deep concern over the inadequate deployment of security forces in Lapangap and neighbouring areas. It urged the government to:
Deploy adequate police and security personnel, particularly during the harvest season;
Ensure daily border patrolling to deter illegal intrusion and harassment of farmers; and
Provide assurance and protection so that villagers can safely carry out agricultural activities.
The committee also pressed for better logistical support for deployed forces, including non-lethal arms, communication tools, and vehicles for effective patrolling and quick response to any incident. A strong and visible police presence, it stated, would restore confidence among residents and reduce the risk of inter-community tension.
Additionally, the JAC sought clarification on the implementation of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), cautioning that enforcement of the provision should not restrict the movement or livelihood of border residents during the harvest period.
Warning of potential unrest, the JAC said that if the government fails to act promptly, it must bear responsibility for any untoward incidents or losses faced by farmers. It further demanded compensation and relief in case of crop damage.
“The people of Lapangap are living in constant fear as they cannot go to their fields to harvest their paddy because of threats and obstruction from Karbi villagers. If the government does not act swiftly, it will result in a complete loss of livelihood for the entire year,” Lyngdoh cautioned.
