Meghalaya shuts Weisawdong Falls as fresh village row escalates

Shillong, July 6: The Meghalaya government has temporarily closed the popular Weisawdong Falls tourist site in East Khasi Hills after renewed tensions between two villages over ownership and access threatened to disrupt peace in the area.

The Sohra Civil Sub-Division administration on Sunday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing intelligence inputs that the long-standing dispute between Laitduh and Umblai villages had flared up again.

According to officials, residents of Umblai were planning to reopen or create an approach road to the waterfall through Arliang Riat, raising fears of a confrontation with Laitduh villagers. In view of the possibility of law and order problems, the administration moved swiftly to prevent any untoward incident.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mark A. Challam issued the order banning the gathering of five or more persons within a 200-metre radius of Weisawdong Falls. The restrictions also cover all existing and proposed access routes leading to the tourist destination.

The administration has further prohibited people from carrying sticks, machetes, firearms or any other weapons in the notified area.

Tourists have been barred from visiting Weisawdong Falls until further orders, with officials saying the suspension is necessary to ensure public safety while the dispute remains unresolved.

The conflict stems from competing claims over the management and control of tourism activities around the scenic waterfall. In August 2025, the Syiem of Hima Sohra issued a demarcation order placing the site under the custody of Laitduh village. However, Umblai challenged the decision, prompting a joint meeting the following month in which both sides agreed to treat the arrangement as temporary until a final settlement is reached.

Authorities warned that anyone violating the prohibitory orders would face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The restrictions came into force immediately and will remain in place until the administration issues further directions.

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