SHILLONG: The Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya, Idashisha Nongrang, announced on Thursday that a platoon of the elite Special Forces-10 (SF10) has been deployed to the Lapangap area in West Jaintia Hills along the interstate border with Assam.
This strategic deployment aims to ensure the safety of local residents and prevent any untoward incidents following escalating tensions in the region.
The decision to strengthen the security presence comes in response to growing resentment among villagers who have been unable to carry out agricultural activities due to persistent harassment from individuals residing in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
The move follows a significant protest on Wednesday, where hundreds of residents from Lapangap, supported by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) West Jaintia Hills and the Jaintia National Council (JNC), marched to the Secretariat in Shillong to demand immediate government intervention and protection.
The villagers alleged that they have been subjected to continuous intimidation by people from Karbi Anglong and urged the Meghalaya government to establish a permanent police camp in the vicinity to allow farmers to tend to their fields without fear.
Addressing the media in Shillong, DGP Nongrang confirmed that following a high-level meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister, the police department resolved to dispatch the SF10 personnel immediately.
She noted that the unit departed early Thursday morning and was expected to arrive at the village during the day.
In addition to the SF10 platoon, the DGP revealed that two platoons from the state battalion have already been stationed at Lapangap for several days to monitor the situation.
She emphasized that the police department remains prepared to augment its presence further based on evolving requirements and ground-level developments.
While the Meghalaya government recently inaugurated a Police Outpost at Barato, residents have pointed out that the facility is located approximately 19 kilometers from the actual border, rendering it less effective for immediate response.
Acknowledging this concern, the DGP suggested that if Assam can maintain camps near the border, Meghalaya is also prepared to take similar steps to construct police outposts closer to the boundary to safeguard its citizens.
She expressed empathy for the hardships faced by the people of Lapangap, particularly the destruction of crops by outsiders, and assured that the police department will finalize robust security arrangements to provide a sense of security to the farming community in the area.
