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Tension continued along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Thursday as an indefinite economic blockade over a recent firing incident intensified, with reports of stone-pelting and clashes near the Silapathar-Likabali route.
The blockade was launched on August 12 by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), along with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), following a firing incident at Mingmang Basti along the border in Dhemaji district. The incident reportedly followed a dispute over alleged encroachment of Assam land by people from Arunachal Pradesh.
The firing left at least 11 people from Assam injured, according to reports. Protesters have since blocked vehicles travelling between the two states at several entry points, while emergency and school transport have reportedly been allowed to pass.
On Thursday, the situation became tense at the Likabali entry point after stones were allegedly thrown during the blockade, triggering a confrontation between groups. Police, including personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were deployed to control the situation. Arunachal Pradesh Police reportedly fired in the air to disperse the crowd.
The protesting organisations have demanded the arrest of those allegedly responsible for the firing and their handover to Assam Police. They have also called for an early settlement of the long-pending Assam-Arunachal boundary dispute and an end to alleged encroachment on Assam territory.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appealed for restraint and urged people of both states to maintain peace and harmony. He said Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share a deep social and cultural bond and should resolve their remaining differences through dialogue.
Sarma said 123 areas had initially been identified as disputed along the inter-state boundary, of which 71 have been resolved, leaving 52 areas for further discussion.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed Sarma’s appeal, saying the two states share a bond of history, friendship and brotherhood. He stressed that differences should be addressed through dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful means.
Both governments are expected to continue negotiations to resolve the remaining boundary issues while authorities monitor the sensitive border areas to prevent further escalation.
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