“Economic blockade” in Assam affects life along border with Arunachal Pradesh

On Wednesday, an "economic blockade" in parts of northeastern Assam affected daily life along a significant portion of the disputed border with Arunachal Pradesh. The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), a community organization in Assam, called for a 12-hour shutdown in Dhemaji district in response to alleged firing by alleged Arunachal Pradesh-based assailants on 11 Assam villagers in Mingmang Bodoti area.

The incident occurred following a land dispute, with the injured villagers currently receiving treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his concerns, requesting an inquiry into the incident and urging the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (Pema Khandu) to identify and punish the culprits.

Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu, from Dhemaji district, also discussed the issue with Khandu, who assured him of a fair investigation and punishment for the guilty parties. Both sides agreed to resume discussions on the border issue through joint regional committees. The blockade impacted road and traffic movement, and reports from Arunachal Pradesh mentioned some protestors attacking the Itanagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer and his team during a court hearing.

Arunachal Pradesh advised citizens to avoid traveling to Assam. The two states share an 804.1-km border with approximately 1,200 disputed points. The Namsai Declaration, signed in July 2022, aimed to resolve the long-standing boundary dispute between the two states, initially covering 123 villages, which was later reduced to 86 villages.