SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) on Tuesday met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and raised a series of concerns affecting residents of villages located along the Meghalaya–Assam border, including the lack of State recognition for Block-I villages and the long-standing difficulties faced by farmers in Lapangap.
During the meeting, the forum urged the State Government to officially bring villages under Block-I within Meghalaya’s administrative framework, enabling residents to access essential government services and welfare schemes.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with the Chief Minister, Chairman of the HBDRF, Chandame Sungoh said that while the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has already recognised Elaka Labang-Nangphyllut and issued sanads to the Acting Dolloi and village headmen, the villages have yet to be formally recognised by the State Government.
According to Sungoh, the absence of State recognition has created difficulties for residents in obtaining important documents such as voter identity cards, birth certificates and Scheduled Tribe certificates. He pointed out that villages under Block-II had received State recognition years ago and are already benefiting from government services and welfare programmes, while those under Block-I continue to remain excluded from such benefits.
The forum also sought the inclusion of these villages under various government departments to improve access to public services and development initiatives. HBDRF spokesperson Thomas Passah stressed that formal recognition by the State Government is crucial to ensure that residents can avail themselves of welfare schemes and other government benefits.
The delegation also raised the issue of farmers in Lapangap, who have reportedly been unable to freely cultivate their agricultural land for more than a decade due to the ongoing border dispute.
HBDRF Spokesperson Thomas A. Passah said the forum informed the Chief Minister that preventing farmers from accessing their own land was a serious concern, as agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for many families in the area.
He also said that the Chief Minister has informed the delegation that the matter had already been taken up with the Assam Government and that there was a possibility of farmers being allowed to return to their fields in the near future.
The forum, however, emphasized the need for adequate security arrangements to ensure that farmers can carry out cultivation activities without fear or interference.
Passah further stated that the Chief Minister informed the delegation that the next round of Meghalaya–Assam border talks is expected to resume once the Assam Government appoints a Minister to head its Regional Committee.
He also underscored the importance of consulting all stakeholders, particularly residents of the disputed areas, during the upcoming border discussions.
The Chief Minister assured the delegation that both matters would be taken up for further discussion with the forum.
