Assam, Arunachal CMs Pleased With Border Row Meet In Guwahati

GUWAHATI: In a bid to solve the inter-state border issue between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, a Chief Minister level meeting was held here on Thursday.

The high level meeting attended by representatives of both the states was chaired by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his counterpart from Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu.

In the meeting held at the Assam State Guest House in Koinadhora here, an assessment on the progress made by the regional committees headed by the Chief Ministers was done so as to draw all issues towards an amicable settlement. Besides that, issues of mutual concern also came up in the high-level meeting.

After conclusion of the meeting, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a tweet, "As a follow-up of Namsai Declaration, held a meeting with Hon CM, Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu & a high-level delegation led by him. Deliberated on the progress achieved by 'regional committees' jointly headed by Ministers in the two states, among other issues."

CM Sarma expressed hope that the two states will be able to reach an agreement soon considering the sensitivities and fulfilling aspirations of everyone.

"I am certain that the two states would soon reach an agreement that would take care of sensitivities & aspirations of all," added the Assam Chief Minister.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu too said through a Twitter post, "The Chief Ministers' level meeting on 'Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Border' at Koinadhara will be a watershed moment in our collective resolve to address outstanding issues amicably."

Speaking to the media, prior to the high level meet, Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that both state governments are determined to solve the nearly seven decade long inter-state boundary dispute. Mein who also heads the Namsai and Lohit district Regional Committees, said that it was possible after the BJP came to power in the Centre as well in both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister further added that the respective boundary disputes between Assam's Tinsukia and Arunachal's Namsai and Lohit districts have almost reached a solution and currently there is no boundary dispute in these areas.

It may be recalled here that the 'Namsai Declaration' signed on July 15 this year came out as a significant milestone in the nearly seventy year long border dispute between the two Northeastern states. Notably, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share a 800-kilometer long border with each other.

Following the signing of the 'Namsai Declaration', the first meeting of the Inter-State Regional Committees was held on August 22 in Namsai after the team carried out an inspection in the border areas of both the states.

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