Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 12 said he may urge his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu to order an inquiry into the recent firing incident along the inter-state border and ensure that those responsible are identified and punished.
Sarma said the incident occurred in one of the 52 areas where boundary-related disputes between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh remain unresolved, despite substantial progress in settling the long-standing issue between the two states.
“Yesterday’s incident was painful. Primarily, we have already settled our boundary disputes in almost all sectors. Only in five sectors are some disputes still there,” Sarma said.
He said the Assam government had reconstituted its regional committee at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to continue discussions with Arunachal Pradesh and work towards resolving the remaining boundary disputes.
“We should not indulge in conflict. We have to remain together. Hence, I urge Arunachal CM Pema Khandu to order an inquiry and find out the culprit. The culprit must be punished,” Sarma said.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh had identified 123 disputed villages and areas during the boundary resolution process. Of these, 71 have reportedly been settled, leaving 52 areas where disputes continue.
The latest firing took place at Mingmang Badati in Dhemaji district along the Assam-Arunachal border, where several Assam residents were injured. The incident has since triggered protests and an economic blockade on routes connecting the two states.
Sarma appealed for restraint and expressed hope that the blockade would be withdrawn, highlighting the close relationship between the communities on both sides of the border.
“Mising and Adi communities are like two brothers, and I think they will discuss and withdraw [the blockade]. Today, the blockade has been given by the Mising community against the Adi community, who are from the same lineage,” the chief minister said.
Sarma said Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had spoken about the matter and expressed hope that a solution would emerge during the day.
He reiterated that the latest incident should not disrupt the broader process of resolving the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute, which has made significant progress in recent years.
