Drifting river sparks boundary dispute

A small drifting river has sparked a boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya. Jingiram, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, formed the natural boundary between Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills and Assam’s Dhubri districts.

A small drifting river has sparked a boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.

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Jingiram, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, formed the natural boundary between Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills and
Assam’s Dhubri districts. But the drifting of the river towards south (into Meghalaya) over the years has triggered a
row in Kacharipara village (called Malakhowa by Assam), with residents in Meghalaya side alleging that “encroachers from Assam side were cultivating in their land”.

Officials say the river has drifted about 400 metres southwards over a period of 40 years.

Following the controversy that also witnessed stray law and order incidents, officials of both the neighbouring
districts met recently and formed a panel comprising revenue officials to demarcate a “temporary boundary” till a permanent
solution to the vexed boundary dispute between the two states was arrived at.

“Telegraphic boundary pillars constructed in the 1920s was the actual boundary. Those pillars are not visible now.
But the locals have been assuming the river to be the boundary,” West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal
said.