
Hundreds of residents from the disputed Langpih sector have overwhelmingly resolved to remain part of Meghalaya, firmly refuting recent claims by an Assam news channel alleging that 95 percent of the local population preferred merging with Assam following a border settlement. The unanimous resolution was passed during a public meeting held at Umthli village within the Hima Nongmynsaw Syiemship, presided over by Theodas Marak, Chairman of the Association of Village Headmen for the Umthli Area. Attended by community members across more than fourteen villages—including Mawdiangkob, Talimara, Umdiangsiar, Umdiangphiang, Umthli, Umkhamdol, Dariphang, Umbah, Ukiam, Borkhuli, Hasem, Warigro, and Doledonga—and observed by the Executive Durbar of the Hima Nongmynsaw Syiemship, the assembly declared that ground reality entirely contradicts the media reports, asserting that 95 percent of residents unequivocally desire to stay with Meghalaya. The public gathering received strong backing from the Rimuliang Circle of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP), whose visiting representatives emphasized that all local residents, including Khasi and Garo minority communities, possess the fundamental right to choose their state affiliation. Urging residents to resist unilateral claims, the FKJGP called on both state governments to respect the democratic choice of the border inhabitants, stressing that the villages belong to the people living there and that Assam must not impose its administrative will against public sentiment. Ultimately, the assembly urged both state authorities to expedite the long-pending boundary resolution without further delays and formally hand over local administration to Meghalaya in accordance with the expressed wishes of the populace.
