Assam and Arunachal Pradesh start joint boundary visits

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI/TINSUKIA/TEZPUR: The regional committees of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh started their joint visits to the disputed stretches along the inter-state boundary today. A team led by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora visited the border in the Namsai and Lohit districts. Another team led by Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika visited the boundary stretches in the Sonitpur and Biswanath districts.

Today's visits are a follow-up of the Namsai Declaration signed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu on July 15.

Minister Atul Bora, accompanied by MLA Bolin Chetia and officials, went to Namsai where Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, accompanied by a few MLAs and officials, met him. The two teams visited the boundary. They agreed to go ahead with the joint visits honouring the spirit of the Namsai Declaration.

Talking to the media, Atul Bora said, "Joint boundary visits by the regional committees of both the states began today. Regional committees of both states will jointly visit 86 fringe villages between the two states. Soon after taking the oath, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accorded priorities to resolve the long-pending inter-state boundary issues with the neighbouring states. The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister have also prioritized resolving the boundary issues. We have seen during the joint visit that the inter-state boundary stretches along Namsai do not have many differences of opinion. We hope to sort out the few differences we have through talks. After the formation of the regional committees by both states, we have seen some border skirmishes. We all need to exercise restraint. We (Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) are brothers. We need to keep our age-old peace and harmony intact."

Talking to the media, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said, "We are hopeful of resolving the boundary issues with Assam through talks. In some stretches between the two states, there are natural boundaries. We will honour the Namsai Declaration. Assam is Arunachal Pradesh's elder brother. We can see Assam just by raising our heads. Our regional committees will report to our Chief Minister, and our Assam counterparts will submit their reports to their chief minister."

Meanwhile, the regional committee led by Minister Pijush Hazarika met the regional committee of Arunachal Pradesh led by Environment, Forests, Water Resources and Sports Minister Mama Natung. They discussed the border issues between the Pakke Kesang district of Arunachal Pradesh and the Biswanath and Sonitpur districts of Assam. At the meeting, Hazarika said the two teams from both the states would visit the disputed areas on September 2 and 3 next and prepare a report after consultation with the villagers during the joint visits.

Natung thanked the Chief Ministers of the two states for taking the initiative to resolve the border issues.

Talking to the media, Minister Pijush Hazarika thanked Arunachal Pradesh Minister Mama Natung for giving Assam the honour and opportunity to play the role of an elder brother. He expressed confidence that the two states would resolve the long-standing border issues.

Disputes exist in four villages bordering the Pakke Kesang district of Arunachal Pradesh in the Biswanath district of Assam.

The team led by Pijush Hazarika had MP Pallab Lochan Das, MLAs Pramod Borthakur, Ganesh Limboo, Krishna Kamal Tanti, Secretary to the Government of Assam, and others as members.

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