HITO Urges Amit Shah to Probe Alleged Rights Abuses in Assam–Meghalaya Border Row

Overview

• In a memorandum submitted via the Meghalaya Governor on October 20–21, the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization asked for immediate central intervention, an independent investigation, and accountability for any officials found responsible.
• HITO accuses the Assam government of repeated incursions into Meghalaya territory and says armed Karbi militant outfits continue to intimidate villagers despite public assurances from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
• The submission highlights a recent incident in which Karbi tribesmen allegedly obstructed Meghalaya farmers from harvesting paddy, a move the group says has intensified economic hardship for already vulnerable communities.
• Citing unfulfilled commitments under the conditional Instrument of Accession and the Annexed Agreement of the Khasi States, HITO links current tensions to decades-old grievances it says the Indian government has not addressed.
• To underscore its concerns, HITO references past violence at Langpih (2009) and Mukroh (2022) and claims one person was recently killed in Lapangap, while noting no public response from the Centre or state administrations has been reported so far.