Tensions Rise at Assam-Arunachal Border Amid Protests and Police Action
Escalating Tensions in Dhemaji District
TMPK protest in Jonai on Wednesday
Guwahati/Margherita, Aug 13: Tensions flared at the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district on Thursday, following reports that Arunachal Pradesh Police fired shots into the air to disperse demonstrators who were throwing stones at the Likabali entry point.
The unrest stemmed from an ongoing economic blockade initiated by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) on Wednesday, protesting a recent shooting incident at Bodoti in Mingmang that resulted in injuries to 11 community members.
An official from the Assam government indicated that individuals from Arunachal Pradesh allegedly hurled stones at the protesters, causing minor injuries and igniting a confrontation between the two groups.
“We observed that police from Arunachal discharged three rounds into the air to manage the crowd on their side,” the official stated.
This altercation occurred at the Likabali entry point in Silapathar, where the blockade has severely hindered traffic between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The TMPK, in collaboration with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), has halted all vehicle movements to and from Arunachal Pradesh, although emergency and school transport is still permitted.
Binod Dao, president of the TMPK's Sadiya district unit, mentioned that officials from both states, along with relevant department representatives, are set to convene on Thursday to address the escalating situation.
Dao noted that Arunachal Pradesh authorities had submitted a formal request to the TMPK central committee on Wednesday, asking for the blockade to be lifted and promising to engage in discussions regarding the issues at hand.
“They provided a written request yesterday to the TMPK central committee, urging us to end the blockade and assuring us that discussions would take place. However, we have had multiple discussions in the past, and similar incidents keep recurring,” Dao remarked.
In the meantime, Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora, along with Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, arrived in Dhemaji to address the matter.
“This is a regrettable incident, but an economic blockade could exacerbate the situation. We are open to discussions and will take the initiative under the Chief Minister’s guidance. We will evaluate what actions are necessary and how to proceed in the coming days,” Bora stated.
This recent escalation follows a shooting incident on August 10 that injured 11 individuals. Protesters have accused miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh of being responsible for the gunfire along the border.
Protests have also intensified in Bordumsa, located in Assam’s Margherita area, in response to the August 10 shooting reported from Gogamukh in Dhemaji.
Regional committees from the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Brihattar Asomiya Yuva Mancha, and Gorkha Students’ Union collectively blocked the Bordumsa Gate along the Assam-Arunachal border and organized a demonstration.
This blockade has halted vehicular movement between the two states, leading to significant congestion in the border region and disrupting transportation.
The protesters are demanding a thorough investigation into the Gogamukh incident and strict action against those responsible. Leaders from the organizations have stated that the blockade will persist until justice is served against the alleged perpetrators.
The ongoing developments have heightened tensions in a border area that has experienced periodic disputes and confrontations, despite ongoing efforts by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to resolve lingering boundary issues.