Shillong, May 13: Hundreds of residents from Lapangap village on Wednesday marched to the Secretariat in Shillong protesting alleged harassment and restrictions imposed by Karbi groups and Assam Police, which they claimed have prevented them from accessing their agricultural fields.
The villagers, led by village headman Bah Deimonmi Lyngdoh, were joined by members of several pressure groups, including the Khasi Students’ Union, Jaintia National Council and other organisations.
Following reports of the protest march, security was tightened in and around IGP Point and the Secretariat premises since morning.
The protesters marched peacefully towards the Secretariat despite heavy police deployment along the route from Malki Point to IGP Point. During the protest, tensions briefly escalated as police attempted to stop the crowd, leading to the use of pepper spray by security personnel. Some protesters reportedly suffered eye irritation due to the spray.
Later, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who is also the MLA from Nartiang constituency, invited representatives of Lapangap village for talks regarding the issue.
Several villagers expressed disappointment over what they termed as the failure of the Meghalaya government to address their grievances. They alleged that Assam Police personnel and members of the Karbi community have been preventing them from cultivating their farmland even as the sowing season is nearing its end.
Speaking to reporters, some women protesters alleged that Meghalaya Police personnel stationed in the area rarely accompany farmers to their fields and instead remain inside their camps.
One resident claimed that the agricultural land and paddy fields in question belong entirely to the people of Lapangap village under Elaka Shilliang Myntang in West Jaintia Hills district. He alleged that due to the inaction of the state government and district authorities, villagers continue to face repeated harassment from Karbi groups.
The villager further stated that residents possess Land Holding Certificates (LHCs) to establish ownership over the farmland and agricultural areas. He demanded that the Meghalaya government first remove what he described as an “illegal camp” of Assam Police stationed at Lum Pynthor within Lapangap village.
The villagers also questioned why Meghalaya Police personnel were stationed within the village instead of along the border areas to provide security to farmers, while alleging that Assam Police frequently enter areas claimed by Lapangap village.
