Northeast Desk, 17th May: Residents of Maikhuli village, situated on the Assam-Meghalaya border, found themselves embroiled in a heated dispute with villagers from Assam on May 16. The confrontation stemmed from mounting frustrations over persistent waterlogging and drainage issues in the area, prompting the villagers to demand urgent repairs and the installation of culverts.
Maikhuli village falls within the jurisdiction of the Pillangkata Police Outpost, which lies ahead of the Assam Border Outpost in Ri Bhoi district. Sources indicate that tensions escalated when villagers from Assam erected bamboo barricades to impede the passage of dumpers carrying boulders from a stone quarry in Meghalaya, a practice believed to be contributing to road damage.
In response, Assam villagers insisted on immediate road repairs and called for a halt to vehicle movements. However, discussions between Maikhuli villagers and their Assam counterparts quickly devolved into a heated clash, exacerbating the situation.
Authorities intervened to restore calm, with the Meghalaya police, personnel from Pilangkata Outpost, Basistha and Jorabat Police Stations, and magistrates from both states stepping in to diffuse tensions. Directives were issued to cease road construction activities, with efforts underway to address the underlying grievances through dialogue at the district administration level of Assam and Meghalaya.
As residents await a resolution, the incident underscores the pressing need for collaborative efforts to address infrastructure challenges along the Assam-Meghalaya border and mitigate tensions arising from local disputes.
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