Assam’s Khasi group urges peace, unity, and development in Karbi Anglong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 30, 2025

The United Khasi People’s Organisation (UKPO) Karbi Anglong Central Committee has called for peace and cooperation between the Khasi and Karbi communities following Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s statement reaffirming that Blocks I and II fall under Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. The organization is urging communities to focus on harmony, development, and preventing further tensions in the border areas.

During the CM Connect programme in Bhoirymbong, Ri-Bhoi district, Conrad Sangma clarified the territorial status of Blocks I and II, sparking concerns among Khasi residents in Karbi Anglong. However, UKPO President Pynshngainlang Rattane has emphasized that the Khasi community must focus on unity and progress rather than allowing historical disputes to create divisions.

Rattane warned against the dangers of escalating tensions, referencing past tragedies such as the Mukroh incident and the Khanduli unrest of 2024, which caused disruptions, economic instability, and loss of innocent lives. He reminded both Khasi and Karbi people that they have coexisted for generations and must prioritize their shared history over political boundaries.

“The true victims of these disputes are not those living in Shillong or Diphu, but the border residents—Khasi, Karbi, and other indigenous groups—who endure daily struggles due to these conflicts,” Rattane stressed.

Rattane urged the Khasi and Karbi people to strengthen their relationship based on ancestral traditions. He cited the historic ‘Kove Baida’ ceremony in Khang Khadwiu, which symbolized an oath of peace and mutual cooperation between the Khasi-Pnar and Karbi communities.

“Politics will always change, but the Khasi and Karbi people will remain. It is our responsibility to uphold the legacy of peace our ancestors established,” he emphasized.

UKPO has urged the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Assam, along with the CEMs of KHADC and JHADC, to support the Khasi residents of Karbi Anglong by ensuring their rights and promoting peaceful coexistence. With an estimated 25,000 Khasi people residing in nine constituencies of Karbi Anglong, UKPO is advocating for stronger electoral representation, economic development, and cultural preservation.