LAPANGAP: Following reports that farmers in Lapangap village would finally be allowed to harvest their paddy following a meeting between officials from both districts (Meghalaya and Assam), 4Front Media travelled to Lapangap to get a clearer picture of the situation.
During the interaction, it was learned that the ongoing harvest is taking place only in fields located in areas free from dispute, while those fields lying within the contested zones have been temporarily halted. This pause was advised as discussions are still needed with representatives from the Karbi side to prevent any possible flare-up of conflict.
Today, the Karbi villages, under the leadership of Augustin Hanse, Chairman of the Sochenga Amreng Border Development Committee, are scheduled to hold a meeting to deliberate on the directive issued by the Deputy Commissioner of West Karbi Anglong. The directive allows farmers to continue harvesting without any further obstruction in this area.
As resolved in the meeting, any individual or group found creating disturbance or taking undue advantage of the situation will face legal action as per the law, as stated by the Deputy Commissioner.
Although the farmers from Lapangap have been able to harvest only in a few areas with much anxiety, following today’s order, they are now hopeful that they will soon be able to carry out their harvest freely across all the fields located within the disputed zone.
