Mukul Sangma Blames Intelligence Failures for Assam-Meghalaya Border Clash

Mukul Sangma, the opposition leader and former Chief Minister of Meghalaya, attributed the recent violence in Lapangap to intelligence lapses by the governments of Assam and Meghalaya.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that a robust intelligence-sharing mechanism, involving coordination between district administrations and Chief Secretaries of both states, was in place before 2018. He expressed concern that the absence of such coordination may have allowed tensions to escalate, leading to the skirmish.

Also Read: Fatal Clash on Assam-Meghalaya Border Leaves One Dead

Sangma called for urgent restoration of peace along the interstate border, noting that communities in the region had coexisted harmoniously for decades. He warned that delays in the second phase of border dispute talks between the two states could exacerbate tensions and lead to further incidents. Emphasising the need for transparency, he urged both governments to clearly communicate their intentions to residents affected by the ongoing negotiations, as ambiguity is fueling insecurity and recurring conflicts.

He stressed the importance of proactive engagement with communities on both sides of the border, stating that the government’s approach will be critical in resolving the dispute. Sangma advocated for a multi-level strategy to address the complex boundary issue, as a single-level approach would be insufficient.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who chairs the West Jaintia Hills regional committee on border issues, assured that the situation along the border remains stable.

Following Thursday’s incident, Dhar was directed by the state government to visit the area alongside his Assam counterpart to evaluate the situation. He confirmed that the Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to coordinate with relevant authorities to prevent further escalation.

Dhar clarified that the clash was unrelated to the interstate border dispute and stemmed from harvesting activities. He noted that the incident occurred outside the disputed Khanduli-Psiar belt. While political-level discussions between the Chief Ministers of both states are ongoing, Dhar stated there are no immediate plans for ground-level talks.