Assam-Meghalaya mediate peace talks after Pnar-Karbi clash

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 28, 2023

Officials from the district administrations of West Karbi Anglong District, Assam and West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya visited Lapangap following a clash that broke out between the Pnar and Karbi communities on Tuesday, which continued into the next day.

In response to the tense situation in Lapangap Tahpat, located along the Meghalaya-Assam border, officials from the two districts convened on Thursday to ensure peace and harmony in the area.

The team from West Karbi Anglong district was led by Deputy Commissioner Krishna Baruah and Superintendent of Police I Baruah held a morning meeting with Karbi leaders at Tahpat.

After the discussion, Karbi leaders decided to allow the Pnar community to tend to their paddy fields since it’s currently the harvest season, particularly in an area called Nongjrong. However, they placed a condition that the Pnar must remove a tree they planted at Lum Moo Pyrdet Pynthor.

Border tensions: Karbi-Pnar conflict continues, tear gas fired by Assam Police

Following their meeting with the Karbi community, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police from West Karbi Anglong district attended a meeting in Lapangap. Present at this meeting were the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills, BS Sohliya, Superintendent of Police C Syrti, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council MDC Barato A Shadap, and Lapangap resident Waheh Chnong Deimonmi Lyngdoh.

The Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong conveyed the Karbi community’s message to remove the tree planted by Lapangap residents. Assam police assured protection to the Khasi-Pnar community during their paddy harvest in Nongjrong.

The Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills agreed to the condition and scheduled the removal of the tree for Friday. However, Waheh Chnong of Lapangap would announce the Karbis’ demands to Lapangap residents on Thursday evening.

The Deputy Commissioner noted that it’s preferable to remove the tree rather than risk losing a paddy harvest.

Following the clash, farmers in Lapangap ceased cultivation, and the Karbis also ceased their vigilance in the hills.

In the clash, both sides used catapults, and the Pnar farmers claimed that the Karbis had used bows and arrows, which had incited their anger.

Assam-Meghalaya Border tense as Karbi community attacks Pnar farmers with bows and arrows