Arunachal Activist's Arrest Sparks Tensions Along Assam Border
Arrest of Gumin Mize Raises Concerns
File image of arrested Arunachal activist Gumin Mize in Lakhimpur Police Station (Photo: AT)
North Lakhimpur, May 26: The recent detention of Gumin Mize, who leads the Arunachal Anti-Drug Warriors (AADW), has ignited significant unrest in both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Responses to Mize's arrest have predominantly emerged from Arunachal Pradesh, where various groups are calling for his release and alleging that his arrest is part of a conspiracy.
This incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of drug trafficking along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, particularly in Lakhimpur district, and the suspected involvement of law enforcement from both states.
Mize, aged 43, hails from Sibut village in East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. He was apprehended by Lakhimpur Police on May 20, with assistance from Arunachal Pradesh Police, while in Itanagar.
Authorities claim that Mize was involved in a kidnapping and extortion case in Lakhimpur, which included gunfire two weeks prior to his arrest.
Reports indicate that Mize allegedly entered the tea plantation of Rupam Kakati, a former drug addict undergoing rehabilitation, on February 2, demanding a ransom of Rs 7 lakh after abducting him to Doipung in Arunachal Pradesh.
Despite the ransom being paid, Mize reportedly handed Kakati over to the police at Banderdewa, along with 51 grams of a prohibited substance, leading to Kakati's arrest under the NDPS Act on February 6. Kakati was released on bail on April 10.
According to Kakati's allegations, Mize returned to his home, assaulted family members, and fired shots at him.
During the police operation, a .22 rifle, a .22 revolver, and an unregistered Bolero vehicle were seized, resulting in Mize's detention at Bihpuria Police Station.
The arrest has escalated tensions in the Lakhimpur district, with rising allegations and counter-allegations following Mize's detention.
The Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) has asserted that the charges against Mize are unfounded, with secretary Tapor Maying stating that Mize acted in self-defense.
Additionally, a complaint has been lodged with the National Human Rights Commission by Buteng Tayeng from Namsai, alleging that Mize suffered custodial torture. The NHRC has registered the complaint under diary No. 11731/IN/2026. Social media has circulated images purportedly showing Mize's injuries, fueling public outrage and demands for accountability.
However, Lakhimpur Police have refuted claims of custodial abuse. Lakhimpur SSP Gundendra Deka emphasized that the investigation was conducted lawfully, including necessary interrogations and medical assessments.
The rising tensions in this border region underscore the persistent challenges of drug trafficking and the failure of authorities to address the issue effectively.
The Banderdewa area, which serves as a key entry point to Itanagar from Lakhimpur, has long been a center for drug trafficking, with numerous arrests of drug dealers and confiscation of illegal substances. Local traffickers are reportedly working for drug lords from Harmutty, contributing to widespread substance abuse among the youth.