CM level talks on Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Border concludes with signing of Historic ‘Namsai Declaration’

July 15: The Chief Minister level talks on border issues between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh held at Namsai today yielded in signing of Namsai Declaration to minimize the border dispute between the two states in respect of 123 villages which are placed before the Local Commission.

It may be noted that the Chief Minister level meeting between the Chief Minister of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh held on January 24, 2022 and again on April 20, 2022 decided that all border issues between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be confined to those raised before the Local Commission in 2007. Both the States constituted 12 Regional Committees each covering the 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh and the counterpart districts of Assam for joint verification of 123 villages and thereafter make recommendations to respective State governments keeping in view the historical perspective, administrative convenience, contiguity and people’s will to delineate interstate boundary between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Today’s meeting between Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and his counterpart Pema Khandu agreed in principle with regard to 37 villages. 28 villages which are within the constitutional boundary of Arunachal Pradesh shall remain with Arunachal Pradesh.

Three villages on which claims were withdrawn by Arunachal Pradesh will remain with Assam and the location of six villages which could not be located on Assam side and if at all, these villages exist on Arunachal Pradesh side will continue with Arunachal Pradesh.

The Assam side apart from the Chief Minister was represented by members of Assam Cabinet Atul Bora, Ashok Singhal, Pijush Hazarika, Bimal Bora, Sanjan Kisan, MP Pradan Baruah, MLA Bolin Chetia and Taranga Gogoi. While the Arunachal Pradesh side was represented by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and a host of ministers.

Senior officers from both the states were also present at the meeting. Both the Chief Ministers thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their inspiration and guidance in resolving the long pending border disputes between the two states.