Nongpoh, Dec 2: Peace was restored in Maikhuli village along the Meghalaya–Assam border after representatives of the joint Peace Committee from both states successfully intervened and facilitated the signing of an agreement between residents of the two sides on Tuesday.
The intervention came a day after tension erupted in Maikhuli when a group from Assam allegedly attempted to erase inscriptions on a stone marker indicating the implementation of an MGNREGA scheme near the village fishpond. The act triggered a confrontation between villagers of Maikhuli and individuals from the Assam side, prompting both state administrations to deploy police and magistrates to prevent further escalation.
Concerned over the disturbance, Jirang MLA and Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Sosthenes Sohtun immediately directed the Ri-Bhoi district administration and police to act swiftly to defuse the situation. This led to the prompt arrival of Peace Committee members from both states, who convened a meeting on December 2 in Maikhuli.
The peace negotiations were led by Eric Dkhar, Magistrate of Ri-Bhoi district, and Topash Saikia from Assam, along with Maikhuli headman Nicholas Marak, local leaders, and representatives of social organisations from both states.
During the meeting, the committee addressed the actions of certain individuals attempting to create misunderstanding and tension among the border communities. It was unanimously decided that residents and leaders from both sides would sign an agreement to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
The meeting also approved the restoration of an electric pole damaged several months ago and the reinstatement of inscriptions on the MGNREGA foundation stone that vandals had tried to erase.
MLA Sohtun informed that he had immediately apprised Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma of the incident, following which the Deputy Commissioners of both states were directed to coordinate and ensure peace and security in the border villages.
The signing of the agreement marks a crucial step in reinforcing harmony and cooperation between the neighbouring communities.
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