Karbi leaders allegedly demand land registration from Meghalaya farmers

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 5, 2025

Residents of Lapangap village in West Jaintia Hills District, located along the border with Tahpat village in West Karbi Anglong District, Assam, are once again facing alleged intimidation and threats from Karbi community leaders. These Karbi leaders allegedly claim ownership of land in the border area near Lapangap village.

This time, two farmers from Lapangap, while tending to their fields within the boundaries of their village on Saturday morning, were allegedly warned by members of the Karbi community. They were told to register their farmland in Assam within two months or face being barred from harvesting or cultivating in the area.

The Karbi group, identifying themselves as members of the Karbi Students Association (KSA) and led by Augustine Hanse, President of the Socheng Amreng Border Development Committee, allegedly informed the farmers that they need not pay any fees to register their land in Assam. They were only required to provide their Aadhaar numbers.

The two farmers immediately reported the incident to their village headman, Deimonmi Lyngdoh, who, in turn, informed the Meghalaya police.

Speaking over the phone about the incident, Lyngdoh expressed concern over the repeated alleged threats faced by the farmers while working on their land, which is within Lapangap’s jurisdiction. He further stated that the residents had already registered their lands with the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and hoped that the JHADC would defend their rights and protect their lands.