Farmers from Assam, Meghalaya have resumed farming in the disputed border area after weeks of conflict

Representative file image. | Photo credit: Ritu Raj Konwar

Villagers in Assam and Meghalaya resumed their farming activities in the disputed border area on Wednesday (June 3, 2026), ending weeks of intermittent conflict.

The restoration followed a formula worked out by representatives of the two state governments who met in the disputed Tapat-Lapangap sector on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) afternoon and brokered peace between residents on both sides of the unclear interstate border.

Tapat is in West Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Lapangap is in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.

“Our people have started working in the disputed fields today (Wednesday). It is a huge relief for the local people who are heavily dependent on agriculture,” Melin Dkhar, a resident of Lapangap, told The Hindu.

“We could not cultivate during the spring season. We hope to make the most of this opportunity,” Ms Dkhar said.

Under the agreement, farmers from the Karbi community of Assam would grow and tend their crops in fields claimed by Meghalaya for one agricultural season. In return, Meghalaya farmers from the Khasi-Pnar community would cultivate fields claimed by Assam.

“This is a temporary arrangement, but we hope that the spirit of cooperation demonstrated during yesterday’s meeting will help strengthen relations between neighboring communities and contribute to a permanent solution to border issues,” said Deimonmi Lyngdoh, head of the Lapangap Traditional Community Organization.

Assam and Meghalaya have had 12 disputed sectors along their 855 km border since 1972, when Meghalaya was carved out of Assam as a full-fledged state. After a series of high-level talks, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma signed an agreement in March 2022 to resolve the dispute across six sectors.

Tapat-Lapangap is one of the remaining six sectors awaiting resolution.

The dispute in the sector turned ugly in October 2025, when a 45-year-old Karbi man was killed when villagers clashed over paddy harvesting, pelting each other with stones and catapults. Business resumed a month later, but a series of minor incidents led to a stalemate in March-April.

Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council chief Tuliram Ronghang led the Assam team while Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar led the Meghalaya delegation during Tuesday’s (June 2, 2026) meeting.

Published – 03 Jun 2026 20:28 IST