Jingiram, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, forms a 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.
"The drifting of the river has created confusion over the actual boundary. The old course is now free land on the Assam side whereas it has swallowed portions from what used to be Meghalaya land," West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal said. Shillong, Feb 21 : A small drifting river has sparked a boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
Jingiram, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, forms a 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.
"The drifting of the river has created confusion over the actual boundary. The old course is now free land on the Assam side whereas it has swallowed portions from what used to be Meghalaya land," West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal said.
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