Assam Chief Minister Addresses Border Firing Incident with Arunachal Pradesh
Overview of the Incident
According to officials, the situation escalated when the group allegedly opened fire on villagers from the Assam (Photo: AT)
North Lakhimpur, Aug 10: The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, characterized the recent shooting incident at the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district as a "localized conflict" and indicated that discussions between the two states have nearly resolved the issue.
During a press briefing at Science City in Guwahati, Sarma mentioned that the state government has initiated dialogue with officials from Arunachal Pradesh to ease tensions following the event.
"I have assigned Assam's Education Minister Ranoj Pegu to engage with his counterparts in Arunachal Pradesh. Our Director General of Police and Chief Secretary are also in communication with them. I believe the situation is now under control and it was a localized issue, not reflective of broader state tensions," the Chief Minister stated.
Details of the Firing Incident
The remarks from Sarma followed an incident where eight individuals from Assam sustained injuries due to gunfire in the Ming Mang area near Gogamukh, reportedly stemming from a land dispute.
The injured individuals have been identified as Durgeswar Patir, Rohit Doley, Nagraj Doley, Bigeswar Patir, Pema Pegu, Sanjay Tayung, Utpal Doley, and Jan Doley.
Initially, they were taken to Gogamukh Rural Hospital and Gogamukh Community Health Centre for urgent medical care.
Subsequently, seven of the injured were transferred to Dhemaji Civil Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
According to police reports, the confrontation occurred at Badati village under Ming Mang, approximately 21 km from Gogamukh Chariali, where local residents clashed with a group from Arunachal Pradesh over alleged land encroachment.
Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions
Officials noted that the situation escalated when the group reportedly opened fire on the Assam villagers, resulting in injuries to eight individuals.
One victim recounted being shot near his nose, stating, "I received a bullet near my nose and lost consciousness shortly after." Another injured individual claimed that people associated with the Arunachal Pradesh administration were involved in the shooting.
“I witnessed the son of the District Commissioner of Lower Siang district firing at us alongside another police officer named Umang,” the victim reported. However, this allegation has not been independently verified.
Government Response and Security Measures
In response to the incident, a significant number of police and civil administration personnel were dispatched to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Earlier, Sarma had emphasized that authorities would identify those responsible and take necessary actions. He stated, "I have instructed Assam Police to ensure that Assam does not lose any land," and mentioned that additional security forces have been sent to the area.
Law enforcement has since increased security in the border region, with efforts underway to restore normalcy and prevent further conflicts.
The incident has caused alarm among residents of the border villages, where land disputes have frequently arisen despite ongoing efforts by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to address boundary issues through dialogue and administrative cooperation.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts
Just a week prior, Assam Chief Minister Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein met on August 1 to enhance cooperation between the two neighboring states.
Mein described their discussions as “warm and meaningful,” expressing hope for increased collaboration and shared progress, particularly on mutual interests and regional development.