Guwahati, Nov 6
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Thursday reviewed the progress of inter-state border agreements signed between Assam-Meghalaya and Assam-Arunachal Pradesh to resolve their decades-old boundary disputes, officials said here.
The inter-state border agreement between Assam and Meghalaya was signed on March 29, 2022, while a similar pact was signed between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on April 20 of the previous year. A senior Assam government official stated that after detailed discussions, it has been decided that the state governments would extend their cooperation to complete the survey works of six areas of difference on the Assam-Meghalaya border-Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Baklapara, Khanapara-Pillangkata, and Ratacherra-as well as the 38 agreed villages along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border within the next six months. It was emphasized in the meeting that the Regional Committees from both sides concerning Assam and Arunachal Pradesh should be activated urgently to finalize the boundaries of 49 villages within an extended period of six months, aiming for completion by April 19, 2025. The official conveyed that it was also suggested that both Assam and Meghalaya should work towards reducing differences regarding the remaining six areas where Regional Committees have already been constituted. The Union Home Secretary expressed satisfaction that both states have reached a conclusive resolution for the Hahim area of difference, directing that all efforts be made to complete the erection of boundary pillars in the Hahim area by the end of December 2024. Similarly, Mohan suggested that the erection of pillars in the Kamengabari and Bhalukpung areas along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border should be completed, where pilot surveys have already been conducted. The review meeting was attended by several officials, including Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary of Assam; D.P. Wahlang, Chief Secretary of Meghalaya; Manish Gupta, Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh; G.P. Singh, Director General of Police for Assam; along with other senior officers. Assam also faces inter-state border disputes with Nagaland and Mizoram. Amid the long-standing border dispute between Assam and Mizoram, the border area experienced its worst violence on July 26, 2021, when the Assam and Mizoram Police exchanged fire in the disputed area near Vairengte village on National Highway 306, resulting in the deaths of six Assam Police personnel and leaving many others injured.