An agreement for resumption of farming activities of villagers of Lapangap is awaiting a formal nod from the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) of neighboring Assam. The disputed border region has witnessed repeated tension over cultivation rights of the villagers from Meghalaya side. Informing about the agreement, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong, said Meghalaya officials visited the area on Wednesday as part of efforts to restore peace in the region. Asserting the rights of farmers of Lapangap, he said they had been cultivating the land for generations.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had earlier held discussions with the Assam government and KAAC members over the issue, he said. Earlier, both the sides had agreed to allow seasonal paddy cultivation in the disputed area. However, Meghalaya objected to tree or permanent plantations on the basis that they can lead to future claim over territorial ownership in the disputed border segment. Tynsong further stated that both governments had agreed that the issue would be handled by dialogue between the villagers and their traditional chiefs, rather than intervention by the police.