Assam Chief Minister Appeals for Calm Amid Border Clashes with Arunachal Pradesh

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged for peace following reports of renewed clashes at the border with Arunachal Pradesh, which emerged on Thursday. These disturbances occurred in Dhemaji district and involved protestors from both states.

The situation escalated as authorities in Arunachal Pradesh responded to the protests by firing into the air to disperse crowds. This unrest originated from a blockade initiated by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang, a student organisation representing Arunachal Pradesh’s Mising community, which began two days ago. It was instigated due to what the group claimed was an unlawful firing incident that resulted in injuries to twelve individuals from Assam, sparking tensions over ongoing land encroachment issues.

An official statement indicated that the unrest began when some individuals from Arunachal Pradesh hurled stones at the Assam protestors, leading to injuries and a scuffle between the groups. Sarma took to the social media platform X to convey his message. “I appeal to the people of Assam and Arunachal to maintain peace and harmony. Boundaries may define our States, but they can never divide our hearts,” he stated.

In a show of solidarity, Members of Parliament from both states echoed calls for calm, with Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, emphasising the need for harmonious coexistence and the importance of resolving land disputes through dialogue. He stated in a video message, “We must live together harmoniously as brothers and sisters.”

The ongoing blockade has seen support from various local organisations, including the Mising Mimag Kebang and the Takam Mising Mahila Kebang, which have effectively halted vehicle movement to and from Arunachal Pradesh, exempting emergency services and school transport. The groups are advocating for a swift resolution to the border dispute alongside accountability for those accused of triggering the violence.

The historical background of the conflict reveals that tensions between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh date back to 1987 when Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood. Since then, a tripartite committee has recommended territorial transfers that continue to affect relations. In 2022, the chief ministers of both states signed the Namsai Declaration, which aimed to narrow down disputes from 123 villages to a more manageable set. Sarma remarked on X, “Only 52 villages remain, and both Governments will continue discussions in the same spirit to resolve the dispute completely.”

The situation remains tense, with authorities and community leaders alike hoping for a peaceful resolution to these longstanding issues.