MAIKHULI: Fresh violence erupted on Tuesday at Maikhuli village along the Meghalaya–Assam interstate border after a dispute over the installation of electric poles by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) escalated into a physical confrontation.
The incident has once again turned the sensitive Ri Bhoi–Kamrup border stretch into a flashpoint, triggering tension among local residents and prompting heightened alertness among security forces.
The standoff began on Monday when MeECL officials, supported by residents of Maikhuli, started erecting around five electric poles as part of a power infrastructure expansion. The move was strongly opposed by residents of Assam’s Bakrapara village, who claimed that the site falls within Assam’s territorial boundary.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday, culminating in a physical altercation. During the clash, a group from the Assam side allegedly assaulted the Headman of Maikhuli, further intensifying the dispute as both sides sought to assert jurisdiction over the contested land.
This is not the first time Maikhuli has witnessed border-related unrest. The village had earlier seen similar tensions when Assam authorities attempted to install electric poles in the same area. That incident led to the intervention of the district administrations of Ri Bhoi (Meghalaya) and Kamrup (Assam), resulting in the formation of a Border Peace Committee and a signed agreement stating that developmental activities essential for local residents should not be hindered by territorial disputes.
“Despite the earlier understanding and the Border Peace Committee agreement, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The obstruction of developmental work violates the spirit of that agreement,” a local source said.
As of Tuesday evening, the situation remained tense. Authorities from both states have been informed and are monitoring developments closely to prevent further escalation. The recurring flare-ups underscore the deep-rooted sensitivities surrounding the long-standing “areas of difference” along the Meghalaya–Assam border.
