Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Set Deadline to Resolve Boundary Disputes
Boundary Resolution Efforts Between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
Officials from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh during the regional committee meeting in Biswanath (Image Source)
Biswanath, Oct 13: The states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have agreed to a two-month timeframe to address unresolved boundary disputes, considering alternative land solutions where conflicts over village settlements and family-owned properties arise.
This decision emerged from a collaborative meeting of the regional committees from both states held in Biswanath on Tuesday. Key attendees included Assam Cabinet Minister and Regional Committee Chairman Keshab Mahanta, Biswanath district Guardian Minister and committee Vice-Chairman Ranoj Pegu, and Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister and Regional Committee Chairman Balo Raja, along with various legislators and senior officials.
After the meeting, Mahanta informed the media that while many sections of the inter-state boundary are clear, some areas still face minor disputes, particularly where families reside in one state but their land is located in the other.
“Certain regions are free of disputes, while others have minor issues. There are cases where families live in Assam, but their land is in Arunachal Pradesh, or the opposite. We aim to resolve these matters through visits by district officials and discussions with the respective MLAs. Our goal is to address these issues within a month, but we have set a two-month deadline,” Mahanta stated.
He added that commissioners, district administrations, and legislators from both states will spearhead the efforts to identify and resolve these outstanding issues during this period.
Mahanta recognized that some disputes might be more complex, especially those involving established villages and family-owned lands that either state may hesitate to relinquish.
“In certain instances, there may be long-standing villages or family lands that a state might not be willing to surrender. In such cases, alternative arrangements, such as providing land in another location, may need to be explored. These issues will require further discussions by the regional committees. If necessary, the chief ministers of both states will make the final decisions,” he explained.
Regarding the final demarcation of the inter-state boundary, Mahanta mentioned that both state governments would make the necessary decisions and enlist the Survey of India’s help in placing boundary markers.
“The Survey of India will evaluate the boundary and assist in the installation of the pillars once the outstanding issues are resolved,” he added.
Raja characterized the discussions as productive and expressed optimism that ongoing collaboration between the two states would facilitate the resolution of remaining disputes.
“Once these matters are settled through discussions with the concerned parties, there should be no further issues. The meetings were postponed due to elections and other commitments in both states. However, the meeting has now occurred, and decisions have been made in the interest of the people on both sides,” Raja remarked.
He confirmed that the regional committees would persist in their efforts towards a peaceful resolution.
Officials from Assam’s Lakhimpur and Biswanath districts, along with representatives from Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district, were also present at the meeting.