Shillong, June 2: After months of tension and disruption to the livelihoods of residents in Lapangap, particularly farmers, a mutual understanding has finally been reached to restore peace and normalcy in the area.
The breakthrough came during a meeting held at Lapangap on Monday, chaired by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and Nartiang MLA, Sniawbhalang Dhar.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary (Home) C.V.D. Diengdoh, JHADC Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat, West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sharma, and Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa.
Representing Lapangap were village headman D. Lyngdoh and the Doloi of Elaka Shilliang Myntang. On the Karbi side, participants included Amarsing Tisso, Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang, representatives of the Karbi Students’ Association, and residents of Tapat.
Speaking after the meeting, Dhar described the discussions as fruitful and said both sides had agreed to maintain peace and harmony in the area. He stated that the immediate priority was to ensure that Lapangap farmers could return to their paddy fields and agricultural lands without any obstruction.
He further said that the understanding reached between the two sides would play a crucial role in reviving the livelihoods of local residents, especially as the paddy cultivation and vegetable farming season gets underway.
Farmers in Lapangap had been facing significant hardships for several months after being prevented from accessing their agricultural lands and paddy fields, affecting their income and daily livelihoods.
During the discussions, all parties stressed the importance of maintaining peace, cooperation and dialogue to ensure that residents from both communities no longer have to live under fear and uncertainty.
The meeting has brought renewed hope to farmers in Lapangap, who can now resume cultivation activities and prepare their fields for the upcoming paddy planting season, marking a significant step toward restoring normalcy in the border area.
