Meghalaya Deputy CM visits Lapangap village, assures to resolve tension

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 8, 2025

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has assured villagers in Lapangap, West Jaintia Hills District, that the recent tension arising from Assam’s tree plantation drive will be resolved. 

The tension began on June 25 when a group of villagers and NGOs dismantled wooden structures and uprooted tree saplings, protesting against the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s (KAAC) plantation activities, which they claimed was an attempt to encroach on Meghalaya territory.

Dhar visited Lapangap village, which falls under his Nartiang constituency, and met with villagers, assuring them that the issue would be discussed and resolved soon.

He was accompanied by JHADC CEM, Thombor Shiwat, MDCs, deputy commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh and superintendent of police Jagpal Singh Dhanao. 

Dhar also visited the paddy fields belonging to the villagers of Lapangap following which a short meeting was held at the Madan Stadium of the village. 

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dhar said, “Our people are totally against the plantation drive and they had recently went and uprooted all the tree saplings. As of now, there is no more plantation (in that place).”

“As of now status quo is being maintained but the problem is that our people cannot go to their paddy fields now,” he added. 

Asked, Dhar assured saying, “We will discuss this issue in the coming days so that at least they (villagers) can move freely like before so there is no disturbances amongst them.”

According to him, the deputy commissioners from both sides will be meeting soon to resolve the issue. 

He further informed that adequate police force, with a strength of 40 personnel, has been deployed to ensure safety and security in the area.

The deputy chief minister revealed that there has been no proposal for construction of road from Lapangap since the two regional border committees are yet to meet. 

“We are waiting for the two regional committees to meet, which will likely to take place after the elections in Assam,” he stated.