New Delhi: A boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has triggered fresh tensions along their inter-state border, with allegations of land encroachment, firing and retaliatory protests bringing normal movement between the two states under pressure. The situation escalated on Thursday when a confrontation between protesters at a border entry point prompted Arunachal Pradesh Police to fire in the air.
The latest trouble follows an August 10 incident at Mingmang Basti in Assam’s Dhemaji district, where 12 people were injured in alleged firing during a dispute over land. Assam Police said the confrontation was linked to allegations that people from Arunachal Pradesh had encroached upon land in Assam.
The incident has since turned into a wider agitation. The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), along with the Mising Mimag Kebang and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang, began an indefinite economic blockade on Wednesday, restricting the movement of vehicles through multiple border routes.
The blockade continued on Thursday at several locations, including Likabali, Ruksin, Dwarmukh-Banderdewa, Solengi and Pabhoi. Emergency vehicles and school transport have been exempted from the restrictions.
Tensions rose further at Likabali in Silapathar when protesters from Assam and people from Arunachal Pradesh clashed. An Assam government official said stones were allegedly thrown at the protesters, leaving some of them with minor injuries. Police from Arunachal Pradesh subsequently fired three rounds in the air to disperse the gathering.
The protesting organizations have demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the August 10 firing and action over alleged encroachment. They have also called for a quicker resolution of the boundary dispute, with TMPK saying the blockade will continue until its demands are addressed.
The Assam government is seeking to defuse the situation through talks. Border protection and development minister, Atul Bora and education minister, Ranoj Pegu are scheduled to meet TMPK representatives in Dhemaji to discuss the withdrawal of the blockade.
The Assam chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has asked Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, Pema Khandu to order an inquiry into the firing and ensure that those responsible face action. Pegu has said Khandu assured Assam that strict measures would be taken.
The two states share an 804.1km boundary, but differences remain over more than 1,200 locations. Assam told its Assembly last month that 16,144.01 hectares of its land had been encroached upon by Arunachal Pradesh, while the neighbouring state has its own claims over disputed areas.
Efforts have been made to resolve the controversy through 12 committees from the regions. Namsai Declaration, which was made in July 2022 and then an agreement that was signed in April 2023 has mainly addressed conflicts that were happening among 123 villages. Conflicts have been resolved for 71 villages and there are 52 villages whose issues are still being discussed.