Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have resolved most boundary issues, with only 52 areas across five zones are remaining, said Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, adding that the two neighbours must not indulge in conflicts.
Sarma on Wednesday wrote on X, “Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have resolved most boundary issues, with only 52 areas remaining, for which Regional Committees have been reconstituted.”
Responding to Monday’s firing incident along the inter-state border where 11 people from Assam were injured, Sarma said, “We should not fight or indulge in conflict because ultimately we have to stay together.” He added, “This was an unfortunate incident. I appeal Arunachal CM, you must order an enquiry, find the culprits and punish them.”
The incident happened in Mingmang Badati area under the Gogamukh Revenue Circle of Dhemaji district along the inter-state border. Police said those injured were taken to a local hospital and later shifted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.
According to locals in the area, the clash started following a dispute over alleged encroachment by people from Arunachal Pradesh on land in Assam.
{{/usCountry}}According to locals in the area, the clash started following a dispute over alleged encroachment by people from Arunachal Pradesh on land in Assam.
{{/usCountry}}Himanta said that he believed this was a local land dispute issue and not a matter between the two states. He also asked the director general of police (DGP) and other senior officials to intervene and investigate.
“I have instructed the DGP, chief secretary and other officials to look into it and they’ll also talk to their counterparts in Arunachal Pradesh. But I think we are in a peaceful situation,” he said on Monday.
Police also said on Monday that they were investigating the matter and deployed force to prevent the situation from escalating.
Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu said that he attended a meeting with several organisations to solve the matter.
In a post on X, Khandu said, “Held discussions on the situation arising from the recent incident at Hime village, near the Assam border, with AAPSU and representatives of the Galo Welfare Society, Galo Students Union and Dolok Bango Welfare Society.”
“The priority is to facilitate dialogue, and restore normalcy at the earliest. All concerned stakeholders are being engaged to maintain peace, and uphold mutual trust,” Khandu added.
The two states share over 800km of border, parts of which are disputed and the source of localised clashes, triggered by allegations and counter-allegations over land encroachment.
The two states signed the Namsai Declaration on July 15, 2022, in Arunachal Pradesh to resolve the issues. Under the pact, both states agreed in principle to restrict the number of contested border villages from 123 down to 86, paving the way for structured regional committee talks to demarcate the boundary.
The state government reconstituted Regional Committees during a cabinet meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday to strengthen the efforts.