One killed as villagers clash on Assam-Meghalaya border

A person was killed on Thursday in a clash between villagers along the Assam-Meghalaya border.

The deceased has been identified as Orivel Tinumg a resident of Tapat village under Donka sub-division of West Karbi Anglong. The clash reportedly erupted when a group from Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills’ Lapangap allegedly began harvesting paddy, prompting opposition from Tapat villagers.

The disputed region has witnessed simmering tensions over paddy harvesting for months.

Assam’s Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora convened a departmental review meeting on the implementation of the Annual Action Plan for FY 2025–26.

Bora later posted on social media, “Lasting peace and stability along inter-state border areas will greatly benefit people on both sides and pave the way for accelerated development.” Both states claim ownership of the area.

Meghalaya refers to it as Block I and asserts historical claims over the land, while it is administered by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in Assam.