Following a tragic incident that claimed one life during a confrontation near the Assam-Meghalaya border, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who also leads the National People’s Party (NPP), made a strong appeal for peace across the inter-state border regions on Friday, October 10, 2025. He urged residents to avoid violence and seek harmony.
During his two-day visit to Manipur in Imphal, Mr. Sangma expressed deep regret over the occurrence, highlighting that the underlying issue stems from ongoing disputes regarding the precise demarcation of the Assam-Meghalaya border.
The previous day, Thursday, October 9, 2025, a fatal skirmish erupted between two local groups in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, close to the Meghalaya border. The confrontation reportedly began over paddy harvesting rights, leaving one person dead and several injured.
According to Assam Police, the incident unfolded when a group from Meghalaya allegedly started harvesting crops, which was met with resistance from residents of Tapat village within Hamren police station limits. This led to a scuffle, escalating into multiple altercations between people from Lapangap village in Meghalaya and Tapat in Assam.
Chief Minister Sangma acknowledged that the Lapangap area remains a contentious point in the border dispute. He stated, ‘We are actively engaged in discussions with Assam. Both Meghalaya and Assam are firm on their respective positions, but our objective is to find a resolution through dialogue. This was a truly unfortunate incident, and I implore everyone to refrain from violence. Our focus must be on peaceful negotiation to solve this issue.’
The Chief Minister further noted that in previous years, farmers from both sides of the border have cultivated land in the disputed area.
He explained that during harvest seasons, conflicts often arise when farmers from one side attempt to prevent the other from gathering crops. To address this, authorities typically try to de-escalate tensions locally by engaging stakeholders and establishing peace committees.
Mr. Sangma confirmed that police units from both states had been deployed to the area specifically because of the paddy harvesting, and security personnel had urged both groups to exercise restraint.
However, despite these efforts, a physical confrontation erupted between the two groups, leading to the tragic loss of one life.
He reiterated his message to citizens, asking them to maintain peace while the state governments work towards a permanent solution. He proudly mentioned that six out of twelve disputed border areas have already been resolved under the current administration, an achievement unmatched in the past 52 years, and assured that efforts are ongoing to address the remaining six.
Finally, the Meghalaya Chief Minister emphasized that mutual cooperation and open dialogue among the affected communities are crucial for the authorities to successfully resolve these complex issues.