Correspondent
HAMREN, July 29: Tension continues to escalate in the border areas of West Karbi Anglong district due to increasing incidents of aggression reportedly from across the Meghalaya side. This comes even as official talks between Assam and Meghalaya over the boundary dispute remain inconclusive.
A public meeting was held today at Tapat playground, approximately 30 km from Hamren Police Station, to address growing concerns among the local residents. The meeting was organised by the Socheng Amreng Border Development Committee (SABDC) and led by its president, Augustin Hanse, with support from Klis Amsong.
The gathering followed the alleged destruction of boundary pillars in the Tapat and Lapangap areas, reportedly by unidentified individuals from the Khasi-Pnar communities of Meghalaya. The incident has triggered fear and unrest among the over 200 families living in nearby Karbi villages, who say they have been forced to remain on constant alert to safeguard their homes and farmland.
The villagers accused local leaders, particularly those from the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), of remaining passive in the face of repeated incursions and lack of development. They highlighted the poor condition of local infrastructure — including incomplete health centres, absence of schools, and lack of employment opportunities — as a reason for their ongoing hardships.
Of particular concern was the demolition of concrete boundary pillars through explosives on April 13, an incident that received minimal response from KAAC authorities. Residents were especially disappointed that Amreng MAC Constituency EM, Rina Terangpi, has not visited the area despite the seriousness of the situation.
SABDC leaders and residents alleged that the continued silence from KAAC may be linked to the “Give and Take” arrangement reached earlier between Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma — a proposal many locals view with suspicion and resentment.
“The situation in border areas had not erupted due to animosity between Tapat and Lapang-ap but is a result of border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya. How long can people suffer without action from their own representatives?” a villager asked.
Locals noted that the FIR over the destruction of the pillars was filed not by KAAC but by state-level authorities, further pointing to KAAC’s disengagement from the matter.