Meghalaya includes 33 villages in Jaintia Hills District Council, alleges Karbi social bodies

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 19, 2025

Dozens of social organizations in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district have expressed serious concer over Meghalaya’s attempt to include 33 villages into Jaiantia Hills Autonomous District Council at a time when 2nd phase of border talks going on between the two neighbouring states.

These villages, they claim, have been illegally included in the Barato-Mukroh constituency under the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), ahead of the council elections scheduled on February 21.

In a memorandum submitted to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through West Karbi Anglong District Commissioner on Wednesday, the organizations expressed outrage over what they termed as “naked aggression” by Meghalaya authorities. They stated that all 33 villages, comprising 15 Karbi and 18 Khasi settlements, fall within the legally notified boundaries of West Karbi Anglong but have been wrongfully included in Meghalaya’s electoral map.

The memorandum further alleged that two candidates—Banikas Labang from the Congress and Aibor Shadap from the NPP—have been actively campaigning in these Assam villages without any intervention from local authorities. The organizations criticized the inaction of the district administration and law enforcement, accusing them of turning a blind eye to the situation.

With growing concerns among residents along the disputed border, the organizations warned that the move could lead to serious unrest and disrupt the fragile peace in the region. They urged the Assam government to take immediate action and engage with Meghalaya authorities to prevent further escalation.

The memorandum emphasized that Karbi Anglong’s boundaries, established in 1951, have remained unchanged, and Assam has never encroached into Meghalaya. It dismissed the so-called “border dispute” as an artificial conflict created by vested interest groups to destabilize peace.

The social organizations strongly condemned the inclusion of these villages in Meghalaya’s electoral roll, calling it provocative and unacceptable. They urged the Assam government to intervene immediately and take up the matter with the Meghalaya government to prevent further territorial disputes.