Fishing Contest Brings Assam–Meghalaya Communities Together at Disputed Hahim Border

In a rare display of unity amid a long-standing inter-state boundary dispute, communities from Assam and Meghalaya came together on Friday for a joint fishing contest at Hahim, a sensitive stretch along the Assam–Meghalaya border in Kamrup district.
The annual event drew around 300 participants from diverse communities, including Khasi, Garo, Rabha, Bodo and Assamese fishermen, turning the contested area into a space of camaraderie and celebration. Participants arrived from Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills and North Garo Hills districts, as well as Assam’s Kamrup, Goalpara and adjoining areas.
Held at a large natural pond near the border, the fishing competition began in the morning and continued for several hours. Traditional fishing methods and local bait were used, adding to the cultural flavour of the event. Organisers said the contest aimed to strengthen people-to-people ties and promote peaceful coexistence in a region that has periodically witnessed tensions due to boundary-related issues.
The top prize of ₹1 lakh for catching the largest fish was won by Silchon Marak, while the second and third prizes of ₹30,000 and ₹10,000 went to participants from Meghalaya and Assam respectively. Several consolation prizes were also distributed to encourage wider participation.
Local elders and organisers said the fishing contest has been held annually for more than a decade and has emerged as a symbol of harmony at the grassroots level. “Despite political and administrative disputes, people living along the border share deep social and economic ties. Events like this help preserve trust and friendship,” an organiser said.
The Hahim sector is among the areas historically claimed by both Assam and Meghalaya as part of their boundary dispute. While the two states have taken steps in recent years to resolve several contentious stretches through dialogue and mutual agreements, local residents say community-driven initiatives play a crucial role in maintaining peace on the ground.
For many participants, the contest was less about prizes and more about togetherness. As one fisherman put it, “For a few hours, there is no border here—only people enjoying the same water and the same tradition.”