Shillong, May 18: For the second and final time, the residents and farmers of Lapangap have received assurance from the government through the district authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP), that they will be allowed to cultivate their lands peacefully.
On May 14, the DC and SP visited Lapangap and held a meeting at the Assam Police Camp with officials from West Karbi District, Assam, and West Jaiñtia Hills District, Meghalaya. Another meeting was held again on May 18, but it ended without any concrete resolution.
The objective of the meetings was to ensure that the local residents could continue cultivation activities on their traditional farmlands without disturbance.
The second round of discussions between the two communities was held on Sunday at the Assam Police Camp located at Pynthor Hali, Lapangap, under the leadership of West Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa.
The meeting comes amid the ongoing tension over allegations that members of the Karbi Tapat community have been obstructing Khasi-Pnar farmers from accessing and cultivating their paddy fields.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the DC said the primary aim of the discussions was to maintain unity, peace, and cooperation between the local communities and the district administrations.
He stated that security arrangements and coordination mechanisms had already been put in place with the support of village leaders and executive committees from the concerned villages.
According to the DC, representatives from both sides were given the opportunity to present their grievances, especially regarding the disputed cultivation areas. He stressed that the most important concern was to ensure that farmers could continue farming activities without interference.

“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 said.
Meanwhile, SP Jagpal Singh Dhanoa informed that police security has been intensified in the area, with additional personnel deployed in vulnerable villages and cultivation zones to prevent any untoward incidents.
He further stated that the district administration and police are awaiting further directives and discussions between the neighbouring states, but at present their main priority is to ensure that the farmers can continue their agricultural activities peacefully.
The SP also appreciated the cooperation extended by village elders and local leaders in maintaining peace in the region.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the farmers can continue cultivation and that peace is maintained in the area,” he added.
The district authorities and police have also appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid any action that could disturb law and order in the sensitive border area.