SHILLONG, Oct 30: Chief of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Thombor Shiwat, has asserted that Lapangap village in West Jaintia Hills district is not a “no man’s land” and rightfully belongs to Meghalaya, as it falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the District Council.

“Actually, it is not a no man’s land because Lapangap is known by the District Council, and the appointment of the headman was also issued by the JHADC. Therefore, Lapangap belongs to Meghalaya — it does not fall under disputed territory,” Shiwat told reporters on Thursday.

Shiwat clarified that the recent incident in Lapangap was triggered by an unidentified individual.
“We do not know who that person is, but we have agreed to produce him once identified. So far, we have not been able to locate him,” he said.

He also informed that paddy harvesting by Pnar farmers in the area has been nearly completed.

The JHADC chief underscored that law and order issues in border areas fall under the purview of the state government, which must take proactive steps to ensure the safety and protection of residents in such sensitive zones.

Shiwat further pointed out that the regional committee overseeing Block I has not convened since the last Assembly elections, leaving the second phase of border talks between Meghalaya and Assam in limbo.

When asked whether both governments are delaying the resolution of disputes in the six remaining contested areas, Shiwat acknowledged that it appears so.

“The timing of meetings is often affected by elections in both Assam and Meghalaya. If we want a meeting from our side, elections may be going on in Assam, and if Assam wants one, elections might be happening here — these things delay the process,” he explained.