Tensions Escalate at Assam-Meghalaya Border; Several Injured in Clashes

A fresh outbreak of violence erupted along the Assam-Meghalaya border on Sunday night, with several people, including young women, sustaining injuries in a clash between locals from the two states.

The incident occurred in the Basistha-Pilingkata area, a long-disputed stretch of the border, which has repeatedly witnessed tension over land and territory.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of Meghalaya women allegedly attacked an Assamese woman after a signboard located on Meghalaya territory was smeared with black paint. 

While there is no conclusive evidence identifying the perpetrators of the vandalism, the act sparked confrontations, with individuals from both sides taking to the streets armed with bamboo sticks and rods. Reports indicate that some Khasi men also physically assaulted Assamese residents, further intensifying the violence.

Local police from both Assam and Meghalaya were present at the scene, attempting to restore order. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control, with multiple people injured during the melee. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with people from both communities engaging in hand-to-hand fights.

The incident underscores the persistent fragility of peace along this border. Despite administrative efforts and inter-state peace agreements, tensions over land encroachments and boundary disputes remain unresolved, often resulting in violent flare-ups.

The concerned police officials from both the states have called for calm and assured strict action against those responsible for the violence, urging residents from both states to maintain peace while investigations continue.

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