SHILLONG, June 25: Fresh unrest erupted along the Assam-Meghalaya border on Wednesday morning as residents of Lapangap village in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills, supported by local pressure groups, dismantled structures and uprooted saplings in protest against plantation activities allegedly initiated by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in a disputed area.

Protesters asserted that the plantation drive constituted an unlawful encroachment into Meghalaya’s territory. The situation escalated when over 150 villagers marched to the plantation site, dismantled makeshift structures, and removed tree saplings reportedly planted by KAAC without any prior coordination with Assam’s local administration.

West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh confirmed that adequate police personnel were deployed and the situation was eventually brought under control. “The plantation activities were initiated by KAAC without prior intimation to Assam’s district administration or police,” Singh stated, adding that both district administrations had been working to de-escalate tensions ahead of a scheduled peace meeting.

The meeting, set for 9 a.m. Wednesday at Tahpat village—claimed by Assam—was disrupted as local representatives from the area failed to appear, prompting Lapangap residents to proceed with their protest. Police have since been stationed at the site to prevent further unrest, with both Assam and Meghalaya officials engaging in damage control.

Local organisations, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), extended strong support to the protest. KSU condemned the KAAC’s actions as a blatant violation of past agreements to maintain the status quo. A KSU spokesperson also alleged the use of tear gas by Assam police but reaffirmed their commitment to protecting what they consider Meghalaya’s land.

JSU general secretary Neilkee Mukhim echoed these concerns, stating that similar activities in 2023 were halted after both state governments agreed to suspend all new development or plantation efforts in disputed areas. He criticized the Karbi community’s actions as a breach of that understanding.

Officials said that efforts are underway to resolve the standoff, with a follow-up peace meeting between village elders and local council representatives from both states scheduled for Thursday. As Meghalaya and Assam continue the second phase of official border talks, tensions like these highlight the urgent need for a lasting resolution to the decades-old boundary dispute.