Assam CM asks Arunachal counterpart to order probe into firing incident, Khandu promises action

way2barak, Aug 13 : Two days after several people from Assam were injured in firing by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh along the disputed inter-state border, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said his counterpart Pema Khandu “must” order an inquiry into the incident and ensure that those responsible are punished.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who was deputed by Sarma to monitor the situation along the border, said Khandu had assured him of strict action against those responsible for the firing.

Meanwhile, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the apex student organisation of Assam’s Mising community, launched an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the alleged firing.

As part of the agitation, protesters blocked key entry points along the inter-state border, including roads at Dwarmukh-Banderdewa, Ruksin in Dhemaji, Banderdewa in Lakhimpur, Solengi in Gohpur and Pabhoi in Biswanath.

Khandu on Wednesday appealed to all sections to work together to prevent tensions from escalating and to strengthen mutual understanding between the people of the two states.

He also held separate discussions with student and community organisations of his state on the situation and stressed the need for dialogue, peace and mutual understanding between communities of the two northeastern neighbours.

At least 12 people from Assam were injured on August 10 after alleged firing by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh along the inter-state border in Dhemaji district over land encroachment issues. The incident took place at Mingmang Basti under Gerukamukh Police Station area.

“We should not fight, we should not indulge in conflict. Ultimately we have to remain together. I request the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister to order an inquiry, find the culprits, and punish them,” Sarma said at a press conference here.

He said the incident was painful, primarily because both states have settled the boundary disputes in most of the sectors.

“Only in five sectors, some disputes remain. Yesterday in our Cabinet meeting, we reconstituted our regional committee so that we can resolve the issue with Arunachal,” Sarma said.

People of the two states have many similarities and this is a temporary setback which will be overcome, he said.

Referring to the continuing border disputes, the CM said, “The place where the clash took place is a disputed area. There has been no clash in the settled areas and permanent border pillars have been put up.”

In a social media post, Pegu said, “Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri @PemaKhanduBJP ji, called me this morning and assured me that there will be a proper and impartial investigation into the police firing incident at Bodoti, Mingmang, Dhemaji.”

“He (Khandu) further assured that those found guilty will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Pegu added.

The Assam minister said they discussed the resumption of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border disputes through the joint regional committees.

“I informed him (Khandu) that the Assam cabinet, in its meeting yesterday, has reconstituted the regional committees with new ministers and senior officers of the Assam government,” he added.

Pegu said that in the telephonic discussion, both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing dialogue in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation to resolve the remaining border issues amicably.

“I appeal to everyone to maintain peace, harmony and mutual respect in the border areas and to refrain from any action that may disturb the cordial relations between the people of the two neighbouring states,” he added.

Meanwhile, Khandu said the immediate priority was to facilitate dialogue and restore normalcy at the earliest, while noting that all stakeholders were being engaged to maintain peace and uphold mutual trust.

“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,” he said in an X post.

The chief minister also met representatives of the Adi Mising Students’ Union as part of efforts to engage community stakeholders and promote harmony in the wake of the incident.

“Let us work together to ensure peace, harmony and mutual understanding between the communities of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” he said after meeting the Adi Mising Students’ Union.

Khandu also stressed the need to preserve the longstanding ties between communities living on both sides of the inter-state boundary, saying peace and mutual trust were essential for maintaining harmony in the region.

Along with TMPK, other local social groups like Mising Mimag Kebang and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK) are supporting the blockade and stopped vehicles with Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers at the entry points.

TMPK secretary Saan Panging said, “Such incidents along the inter-state border are not new, but our government has not taken it seriously. This time, our agitation will continue till all the culprits are arrested and handed over to Assam Police.”

The organisations are demanding an early resolution of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border dispute, action against the “miscreants” who had fired two days ago and an end to alleged encroachment on Assam land.

Police said the clash erupted following a dispute over alleged encroachment by people from Arunachal Pradesh on land in Assam.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km border passing through Udalguri, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts of Assam and 12 districts of the neighbouring state.

There are around 1,200 points of dispute along the inter-state border between the two states.