SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has appealed for “calm and patience” from the residents of the Lapangap border area, stating that while the paddy harvest is vital for farmers, the government considers public safety and security its paramount concern following a recent flare-up of border tension.
The Chief Minister made the appeal after meeting with Lapangap villagers who had requested government permission to safely proceed with harvesting their crops near the disputed Assam-Meghalaya border.
Harvest Request Denied Due to High Risk
Explaining the difficult decision to restrict activity, CM Sangma emphasized the volatility of the area. He acknowledged the importance of the harvest but stressed the inability of security forces to completely guarantee safety in such a tense environment.
“Even though we may be able to provide sufficient manpower, these kind of incidents are something that cannot be 100% or completely under our control,” Sangma stated. “Hence, we would not want any kind of unfortunate incident to happen out there which would only escalate the overall tension in that area.”
To avoid any further escalation, the Chief Minister urged the villagers to “restrain at this point in time” and remain patient.
Recent Clash ‘Unexpected’ by Police
Sangma termed the recent clash “unexpected,” noting that positive dialogue between stakeholders had been ongoing, surprising both Assam and Meghalaya police. He revealed that the incident occurred away from where people had initially gathered, and authorities are actively investigating the precise circumstances of the confrontation.
“While that is happening, this may not be a good time to instigate things any further,” he cautioned, appealing for peace to prevail before any further activity is sanctioned.
Talks with Assam on Harvesting and Border Dispute
The Chief Minister confirmed that the state government is actively pursuing talks with its counterparts in the neighbouring state, specifically to secure a temporary agreement to allow the people to harvest peacefully.
“We cannot guarantee that right now,” he stated, clarifying that the go-ahead for harvesting is only possible upon achieving a “mutual agreement” with the other side. He reiterated: “The lives and the safety and security is of paramount importance to us.”
Regarding the next phase of talks to permanently resolve the long-standing border dispute, the CM indicated a potential delay. The complexity of the issue, compounded by the upcoming elections in Assam, means that further substantive discussions will likely have to wait until the election period is concluded.
