Guwahati, Aug 12 (PTI): Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Wednesday said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has promised to ensure strict action against those responsible for firing along the inter-state border.
At least 12 people from Assam were injured on Monday after allegedly being fired upon by some people from across Arunachal Pradesh along the inter-state border in Dhemaji district over land encroachment issues.
Pegu, who has been deputed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to monitor the situation, said in a social media post, “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 Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the apex student body of the Mising community, on Wednesday launched an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the incident. Immediately after the firing incident, Sarma had deputed Pegu, a local Mising leader, to monitor the situation and hammer out the impasse. Pegu further said, “We also discussed the resumption of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border discussions (on inter-state boundary 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.
The Assam minister 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.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km border in Udalguri, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts, and 12 of the adjoining state.
There are 1,200 points of disputes along the inter-state border between the two states.
The Assam government on July 29 told the state Assembly that Arunachal Pradesh has encroached upon 16,144.01 hectares of land. Of these encroached lands, Arunachal Pradesh is claiming 858.91 sq km.