Assam-Meghalaya Border Row –  Karbi Groups Seeks Resolution Staking Historical Claim.

Guwahati; June 2026: The inter-state boundary dispute involving Assam and Meghalaya, particularly concerning Blocks I and II in West Karbi Anglong, has escalated concerns among the residents of Karbi Anglong. The fragile peace in Lapangap village, located along the Assam-Meghalaya border in West Khasi Hills, has once again been disrupted. Villagers from Meghalaya have alleged that miscreants from Assam set fire to several thatched huts over the weekend.

Local social organisations vehemently contest claims made by certain factions from Meghalaya, who assert that these territories are historically part of the Jaintia Hills. Instead, these groups maintain that the areas have traditionally belonged to the Karbi kingdom. It is mention-worthy that the recent discussions between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma have yielded an agreement to expedite resolutions to the ongoing territorial conflict.

A delegation led by Sangma has addressed various inter-state issues, with a mutual commitment to accelerate the boundary demarcation process in pursuit of a sustainable resolution. A proposed visit by a high-level delegation, including the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Dr Tuliram Ronghang, along with MP Amarsing Tisso and newly elected MLAs, to the strategic Tapat area was scheduled yesterday (01st June 2026). However, this visit was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, with plans to reschedule the same soon.

Community leaders emphasise that the disputed land historically belonged to the Karbi kingdom, whose capital was situated in Socheng, approximately 10 kilometres away from Khanduli. The current royal seat is located in the temporary capital of Rong Arak (Ronghang Rongbong), about 12 km from Hamren, the administrative centre of West Karbi Anglong district.

Meanwhile, those advocating for Karbi rights cite official documentation from the early 1950s, noting that the formation of Karbi Anglong district (then known as Mikir Hills) on November 17, 1951, included territories traditionally inhabited by the Karbi people from Shivasagar and the then Nowgong districts, as well as Mikir-dominated areas of the Jowai subdivision (Blocks I & II). This inclusion was sanctioned under Assam Government Notification No. TAD/R/31/50 dated October 3, 1950, subsequently ratified by the Governor.

There is a pressing demand from the Karbi community that the Government of Meghalaya acknowledges this historical notification and upholds the established administrative boundaries. It may be mentioned here that tensions along the border intensified last year when a Karbi farmer, Oriwel Timung, was fatally shot during clashes in Tapat village, a noted flashpoint in these ongoing disputes.

Reports from Tapat Police Station demonstrates the fact that Timung suffered lethal injuries due to police gunfire during an altercation involving local farmers and security forces, underscoring the deep-rooted issues surrounding land and resource access. In recent weeks, tensions have flared again at Tapat when individuals from the Khasi community attempted to access Assam territory for paddy harvesting, exacerbating an already volatile inter-state border situation.

As the boundary issue remains a critical concern, the indigenous Karbi population continues to advocate an expedited and equitable resolution that honours historical context and administrative precedents. Authorities from both Assam and Meghalaya had intervened last week to pacify tensions in parts of these long-disputed stretches.

Both states claim ownership of the area – Meghalaya refers to it as Block I and asserts historical claims over the land, currently administered by the KAAC in Assam. Block II—another disputed region—lies between Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district and Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district. These 02 contentious blocks, along with 04 others, are slated to be taken up in the next phase of border talks between the two states.

Due to the dispute, Meghalaya Police are not permitted to enter the contested paddy fields for security operations. However, special permission has been granted to protect farmers in the area. The state police can patrol up to Jongkasong village, which lies just short of the disputed territory.

Team Maverick.