SHILLONG, OCT 30: Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Chief Thombor Shiwat has stated that Lapangap is not a “no man’s land” and belongs to Meghalaya, as the district council has issued appointment letters to the headman of the village.
“Actually it is not a no man’s land because Lapangap is known by the district council and the appointment of the headman was also issued by the JHADC. Therefore, Lapangap belongs to Meghalaya. It does not fall (under disputed),” Shiwat told reporters on Thursday.
Shiwat informed that the recent incident in Lapangap village, West Jaintia Hills district, was sparked by an individual, but the perpetrator has not been identified yet.
“We do not know who is that person but we have agreed to produce that person who did that but we could not find him,” he said.
According to him, paddy harvesting by the Pnar farmers is almost completed.
The JHADC chief also highlighted that law and order is under the purview of the state government, which should take steps to prevent and protect people living in disputed areas.
Shiwat also mentioned that the regional committee looking after Block I has not had a meeting since the MLA elections, and the status of the second phase of border talks remains uncertain.
When asked if the two governments are delaying the resolution of border disputes in the six remaining areas, Shiwat said that might be the case.
He emphasized that the timing of meetings is often affected by elections in both Assam and Meghalaya, making it challenging to convene meetings to discuss the border issue.
” I am not the chairman of the regional committee. If the chairman can convene a meeting, we have to discuss this issue. If we want meeting from our side then there will election in Assam then if Assam wants to convene a meeting then there is election in Meghalaya – these things are there,” Shiwat stated.
By Our Reporter
