In May 2023, disorder was reported in the Tadolangso region of West Karbi Anglong district of Assam. The border villages of the area have witnessed a tense situation after miscreants, allegedly from Meghalaya, entered Assam’s territory and burnt down two houses. A hut was also burnt in Am-ih village.
Samsing Timung, a villager of Am-ih, told the media, “Yesterday, miscreants from Meghalaya came to Am-ih to create a situation. In trying to stop them there was an altercation between the villagers of Am-ih, Tadolangso, and Rongpangbong and approaching miscreants at Tadolangso. As a result, people from Meghalaya attacked our two persons Simon Ronghi S/o Robiwel Ronghi and Elbert Timung S/o Lawrence Timung of Langhemphi.”
Meghalaya and Assam share a boundary that stretches beyond 2,000 sq km. In Assam, a part of this inter-state boundary is comprised by the West Karbi Anglong district. A few of the villages that are located on the border in the district include Khanduli, Langhempi, Saitsema, Arting, Mokiram Ningkreng, Tadolangso, and Tapat.
According to one account the border dispute stems from the Meghalaya government’s refusal to accept the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 after it was carved out of Assam in 1972. There are a total of 12 points of dispute along the Meghalaya–Assam border stretching across an area of 2,765.14 sq. km.
Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya had agreed to resolve the border dispute peacefully through a demarcation of boundaries in March 2022. This involved a give and take policy of land exchange between the two states.
More than 10,000 Khasi people living in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district (under Block II) have opted to stay within Assam’s territory. But there are communities that are opposed to this policy.
In September 2022, a joint meeting of 42 Karbi groups resolved that the transfer of certain areas of West Karbi Anglong to Meghalaya is not required because all matters concerning the boundary between the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills district and the Mikir Hills Autonomous district (now Karbi Anglong) had been resolved through mutual consent. This was arrived at on the basis of the report of the Commission constituted by notification No TAD/R/31/50 on October 3, 1950, when the boundaries of the latter (Mikir Hills) were notified by notification No TAD/R/31/50/151 on April 13, 1951.
In November 2022, six people, including an Assam Forest** **Guard, were killed and several others injured during an alleged clash between the Assam Police and a mob, in an area bordering the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Mukroh village in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills.
On September 26, 2023, a violent clash erupted at Lapangap village, situated on the Assam-Meghalaya border as people from both sides used bows and arrows to attack each other. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the confrontation.
The dispute stems from a contested piece of land in Lapangap, claimed by residents from both states. According to the West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, the land belongs to the inhabitants of Lapangap village, who have historically cultivated it. Tensions escalated when locals initiated the harvest of their produce, sparking the altercation.
This recent clash follows a series of violent episodes over the inter-state border, which resulted in the tragic loss of six lives in November last year.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Complaint against procedural violations
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Demand for compensation
Demand for rehabilitation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
1. To ensure safety and security of lives & properties in West Karbi Anglong bordering Meghalaya 2. To stop the incursion and land grab by neighboring state 3. Demand to repeal the give and take policy of reconstituting territories by Assam Government 4. Demand for better construction of roads along the periphery areas of West Karbi Anglong 5. To stop these give and take policies of state governments by exchanging/ dividing territories
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Residential area, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Land record discrepancies
Lack of legal protection over land rights
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
High Court of Meghalaya and Supreme Court of India
Case Number
Special Leave Petition (c) Diary No.944/2023 (Supreme Court), Writ Appeal 44/2022 (Meghalaya High Court)
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Attempted killing
Physical attack
Torching of houses
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
On November 22, 2022, Six people, including an Assam Forest Guard, were killed and several others injured during a clash between the Assam Police and a mob. On May 10, 2023, miscreants from Meghalaya allegedly attacked locals of the Am-ih village and burnt a hut on agricultural land. Miscreants came to Am-ih to create a situation. In trying to stop them there was an altercation between the villagers of Am-ih, Tadolangso and Rongpangbong and approaching miscreants at Tadolangso. As a result, people from Meghalaya attacked two persons viz., Simon Ronghi S/o Robiwel Ronghi and Elbert Timung S/o Lawrence Timung of Langhemphi. People from Meghalaya have also destroyed the tea plantation at Tadolangso. Miscreants also attacked two persons with sharp weapons leading to head injuries of one Albert Engti. Albert has been undergoing treatment at Ham Hospital in Hojai. On May 11, 2023, a newly constructed house of one Bernadus Bey at Chirilangso Tapat along the inter-state border was burnt down. On May 13, 2023, miscreants set ablaze a house at Mukoiram (West Karbi Anglong district). On May 14, 2023, miscreants from Meghalaya reportedly burnt down the house of a widow named Basapi Englengpi at Ningkreng village, which is 3 km from Arting.
Date of Violation
May 9, 2023
Location of Violation
Am-ih, Tadolangso
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Office of Deputy commissioner West Karbi Anglong district
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Yes
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
East Street Journal Asia is a multilingual, Web-based news journal. It is an independent media organisation whose goal is to make transparent, unbiased and data-driven journalism accessible to all.
Violent protest during public hearing for cement plant expansion in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills
Residents of Narela's Bajitpur Thakran oppose demolition of temples for defence institute, demand sports complex
Adivasis in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo protest relentlessly against mining project in forest
Lawyer bodies protest against Assam government’s decision to relocate Gauhati High Court
Demands for Ram Temple, Babri Mosque at same site divides Ayodhya
Supreme Court Allows Land Reclamation for Mumbai Coastal Road Project
Farmers Refuse Land for Pune Outer Ring Road Project in Maharashtra
Slum Dwellers in Gujarat's Surat Stage Protest against Demolition, Forced Eviction