Tension Grips Assam-Meghalaya Border Over Harvesting The Crops
Curfew imposed to defuse tension
Guwahati: Curfew was clamped along the Assam-Meghalaya border in West Jaintia Hills on Thursday to prevent the possible breakdown of the law and order in the bordering areas.
Informing that simmering tension in the area was threatening the peace and tranquility of the area, security sources said that the West Jaintia Hills district administration decided to clamp total curfew in the disturbed areas along the border with Assam apprehending deterioration of the law and order situation.
The administration had clamped night curfew in the area since October 9 following a violent clash among villagers of the border areas. Pointing out that one resident of Lapangap bordering Karbi Anglong district of Assam was killed, security sources said that in view of the prevailing tension, the state administration has decided to extend the night curfew into a complete day and night curfew.
“In view of the ongoing situation along Assam-Meghalaya border areas, there is apprehension of serious deterioration of law and order in the disputed area in Lapangap village, West Jaintia Hills district,” the deputy commissioner of Jaintia Hills district Mr Abhinav Kumar Singh said.
Informing that the administration has promulgated total curfew under Section 163 of the BNSS in the entire Assam-Meghalaya border areas within West Jaintia Hills district, he said that movement of people along the entire Assam-Meghalaya border areas within the district has been restricted, along with unauthorised procession, unlawful assembly of five or more persons, carrying or displaying of objects made or adapted to be used as weapons or any instrument which could reasonably be used to injure, intimidate or create public disorder.
The violence at Lapangap had erupted over the issue of harvesting of crops. After the death of one person, tension on both sides has escalated. The harvesting of crops has been stopped, but villagers on the Meghalaya side want to resume their agricultural work.
Meanwhile, a group of NGOs from the Jaintia Hills on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, calling for his intervention in resolving the crisis in the area and allowing the harvesting of crops.
The NGO also urged the state government to deploy adequate security forces with arms and other equipment so that the harvesting of crops could continue. They also questioned the imposition of night curfew in the area, which has restricted movement of local residents at night.
“The people’s livelihood for the entire year depends on this single harvest, and any disruption or destruction caused due to the failure of proper protection would amount to a direct loss of their sustenance and we strongly urge the State Government to bear full responsibility and ensure that affected families are adequately compensated for their loss of crops and livelihood,” the NGOs said in its memorandum to the chief minister.
