3 detained after alleged construction attempt on Assam land near Meghalaya border

Three people were detained in Assam’s Boko area on Wednesday, September 9 after they allegedly attempted to carry out construction work on land claimed to fall within Assam territory, triggering tension along the Assam-Meghalaya inter-state boundary.

The incident took place at Noapara, around 6–7 km from the Assam-Meghalaya border, where the three men were reportedly involved in the construction of a school. They were identified as Dibanstar Rynjah, 25, Joseph Nongmin, 26, and Synsharlang Nongspong, 30.

Boko Police detained the three and brought them to the police station for questioning following the reported construction activity.

Boko-Chaygaon Co-District Commissioner Priyanshu Bhardwaj reached the site along with Boko Revenue Circle Officer Krishna Arjun Barman and other officials. A police team led by Boko-Chaygaon Co-District Superintendent of Police Jankishore Gogoi also visited the area.

The Assam administration subsequently stopped the construction work. The development led to heightened tension in Noapara, with local residents expressing concern over the alleged attempt to undertake construction in an area claimed by Assam.

In a related development, Meghalaya Police reportedly detained Nenggram Sangma, an employee of the Assam Power Department. His detention further added to tensions surrounding the incident.

Police authorities in both states, however, released the detained persons later in the evening.

The incident comes against the backdrop of longstanding boundary-related sensitivities between Assam and Meghalaya, where disputes over territorial claims have periodically led to tensions in areas along the inter-state border.