Shillong, May 18: Residents and farmers of Lapangap have once again received assurance from the district authorities that they will be allowed to peacefully cultivate their farmlands despite the ongoing border-related tension in the area.

On May 14, officials from the West Jaiñtia Hills district administration, including Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abhinav Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police (SP) Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, visited Lapangap and held a meeting at the Assam Police Camp with officials from West Karbi Anglong district in Assam. A second round of discussions was held again on Sunday, May 18, at the Assam Police Camp located at Pynthor Hali, Lapangap, though the meeting concluded without any concrete resolution.

The discussions were aimed at ensuring that local residents and farmers could continue cultivation activities on their traditional agricultural lands without obstruction.

The meeting was held amid rising tension following allegations that members of the Karbi Tapat community had been preventing Khasi-Pnar farmers from accessing and cultivating their paddy fields.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, DC Abhinav Kumar Singh said the main objective of the discussions was to maintain peace, unity, and cooperation between the communities as well as the district administrations of the two neighbouring states.

He informed that security arrangements and coordination mechanisms had already been established with the support of village leaders and executive committees from the affected villages.

According to the DC, both sides were given the opportunity to present their grievances, particularly regarding the disputed cultivation areas. He stressed that the administration’s immediate concern is to ensure uninterrupted farming activities.

“The farmers will be allowed to access their fields and continue cultivation. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure there is no disturbance or confrontation,” he stated.

Meanwhile, SP Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said that police security has been strengthened in the area, with additional personnel deployed in vulnerable villages and cultivation zones to prevent any untoward incidents.

He added that while further discussions and directives between Meghalaya and Assam are awaited, the immediate focus of the administration and police remains the peaceful continuation of agricultural activities in the region.

The SP also appreciated the cooperation extended by village elders and local leaders in helping maintain peace and stability.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the farmers can continue cultivation and that peace is maintained in the area,” he said.

The district administration and police have appealed to the public to remain calm and refrain from any activities that could disrupt law and order in the sensitive border region.