Tensions persisted along the Silapathar-Likabali highway on August 13 as an ongoing economic blockade over a recent Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border firing incident escalated into stone-pelting, leaving police and CRPF personnel facing attacks from protesters on both sides.
The situation remained tense in parts of Assam’s Dhemaji and Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang districts following the firing incident, which heightened tensions between members of the Mising and Galo communities.
The incident was reported on August 10 at Mingmang Basti along the inter-state boundary under the Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh police station in Dhemaji. Twelve people were injured in the firing, which reportedly followed a dispute over alleged encroachment of Assam land by people from Arunachal Pradesh.
In response, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) began an indefinite economic blockade on August 12, affecting road connectivity between the two states at several locations.
The blockade along the Silapathar-Likabali route continued on August 13, with protesters allegedly resorting to stone-pelting. Police and CRPF personnel deployed to the area were reportedly struck by stones thrown from both sides.
The administration appealed to protesters and residents to maintain peace and harmony and refrain from actions that could further intensify tensions between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The TMPK, along with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the firing and their handover to Assam Police. The organisations also called for an early settlement of the long-standing inter-state border dispute and an end to alleged encroachment on Assam territory.
As part of the blockade, vehicles bearing Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers were reportedly stopped at several entry points.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km inter-state boundary, with several areas along the border remaining disputed. The two governments have been pursuing a settlement through regional committees and the Namsai Declaration framework.
With the situation remaining sensitive, authorities continued to monitor the affected areas and urged all sides to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation and preserve peace along the inter-state border.
