M’laya govt pins Lapangap unease on frequent Assam U-turns

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 19: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday acknowledged growing difficulties in negotiations over the sensitive Lapangap border dispute, alleging that the authorities in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district have repeatedly backtracked on verbal understandings reached during the talks, complicating efforts to maintain peace and resolve the issue.

Cabinet Minister and MDA-II spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla said that despite engagements between officials of both states, Meghalaya was facing challenges as positions taken during meetings were allegedly being changed within hours.

He said the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of both Meghalaya and Assam remained in close contact, and negotiations were continuing to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Shylla was responding to concerns over fresh tension in the Lapangap area, including reports of stone-pelting shortly after a recent peace meeting and allegations from villagers that there was little cooperation from the Assam side.

The minister said the issue was not new and recalled similar incidents earlier, particularly during the last harvesting season, when local villagers were allegedly prevented from harvesting crops. (Contd on P-7)