In a major step toward peace, authorities from Assam and Meghalaya have started installing boundary pillars in the Hahim region of Kamrup district. This move follows the 2022 border agreement between both states, which aimed to resolve a decades-old interstate dispute.
As field teams placed the first pillar in Rongthali village near the Gijang River on July 2, it symbolized more than just geographical separation—it showed a commitment to stability, clarity, and mutual respect.
Why Installing Boundary Pillars in Hahim Matters
Historical Disputes Meet Ground Reality
The states of Assam and Meghalaya have been at odds over 12 disputed border areas since Meghalaya’s creation in 1972. In March 2022, both states signed a pact resolving six areas, including Hahim, Tarabari, Boklapara, Gijang, Khanapara-Pilangkata, and Ratacherra
Now, boundary pillars begins turning the agreement into action. Officials say the process will be completed in five zones by August 15, 2025, with technical inputs from NESAC and IIT Roorkee to guide accurate placement.
Pillar Installation Brings Hope to Border Communities
Installing Boundary Pillars Reduces Local Uncertainty
Residents of Hahim and nearby areas have lived in uncertainty for decades. Different state agencies claimed authority, leading to confusion over policing, schools, and healthcare.
By installing boundary pillars, the state governments aim to:
- Remove administrative overlap
- Clarify land ownership rights
- Reduce chances of future conflict
Community members welcomed the effort, calling it a “landmark moment” that may finally bring clarity to their daily lives.
Government Plans Beyond Installing Boundary Pillars
Pilangkata Under Review, Others Progressing
While pillar installation has begun in five of the six resolved zones, Pilangkata remains pending. Officials from both states are holding meetings to reach a consensus before erecting markers there.
The Chief Ministers—Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam and Conrad Sangma of Meghalaya—have committed to resolving remaining disputes using the same cooperative model.
Long-Term Benefits of Installing Boundary Pillars
Legal Clarity and Peacebuilding
The pillars will not only serve as permanent boundary markers but also support:
- Infrastructure planning
- Proper land registration
- Improved law enforcement coordination
Moreover, this initiative is part of a larger peace process that includes flood management cooperation and the Kulsi hydro project, which both states are planning jointly.
What Happens After Installing Boundary Pillars?
Once pillars are fully installed by mid-August, officials will likely revisit unresolved sectors. The success in Hahim may serve as a blueprint for future conflict zones along the Assam–Meghalaya border.
Locals are hopeful, but they urge authorities to maintain transparency, especially in areas like Pilangkata, where jurisdiction remains unclear.
Installing boundary pillars is more than a symbolic act—it’s a turning point in one of Northeast India’s oldest disputes. Let’s support this step forward and encourage both governments to finish what they’ve started—peacefully, transparently, and with people at the center.
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