Border Row: Union Home Minister urges Assam, Arunachal to resolve dispute at earliest

Guwahati: The Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments were urged by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to settle their boundary dispute as soon as possible in order to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a peaceful and thriving Northeast.

While chairing a meeting with both CM of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu, Shah said to resolve the boundary issues of the two states.

Amit Shah promised both CM that the central government will offer its maximum assistance in this matter.

According to sources, Shah urged both chief ministers to settle the boundary dispute at the earliest in order to fulfill the prime minister’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous Northeast.

On July 15, at least 12 panels were formed by both the state governments, following discussions between the two chief ministers.

As per the declaration, the two states decided to reduce the number of ‘disputed villages’ from 123 to 86, and agreed to make attempts to resolve all issues by September 15.

Meanwhile, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km-long border.

Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a Union territory in 1972, had claimed that several forested tracts in the plains that traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam.

Later, Assam contested this claim and the matter is in the Supreme Court.