Guwahati: The second Chief Ministers’-level meeting between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has decided to form district-level committees in both the states to resolve the decades-long border issue between the two neighbouring States in a time-bound manner.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu met at the Koinadhara State Guest House in Guwahati today during which it was decided to form the committees to resolve the boundary disputes within a stipulated time frame.
Taking to Twitter CM Sarma wrote, “Took part in the 2nd CM-level meeting with my Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Hon’ble Shri @PemaKhanduBJPji to resolve the boundary disputes between the two states. We decided to form district-level committees in both the states to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner.”
Took part in the 2nd CM-level meeting with my Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Hon’ble Shri @PemaKhanduBJP ji to resolve the boundary disputes between the two states.
We decided to form district-level committees in both the states to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner. pic.twitter.com/Pyn3RXm2x6
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 20, 2022
“The district committees will undertake joint surveys in the disputed areas to find tangible solutions to the long-pending issue based on historical perspective, ethnicity, contiguity, people’s will and administrative convenience of both the states,” added CM Sarma.
The district committees will undertake joint surveys in the disputed areas to find tangible solutions to the long-pending issue based on historical perspective, ethnicity, contiguity, people’s will and administrative convenience of both the states. pic.twitter.com/6j1NPFDdrs
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 20, 2022
It may be mentioned that both Assam and Arunachal under the guidance of the Centre have already started the process of resolving the inter-state border issue.
Speaking to the media, CM Khandu said that they are hopeful of achieving a positive outcome.
The Arunachal Pradesh CM also said that committees have to be formed to go to the disputed sites and understand the ground realities and come ou with reports for settlement.
Assam Border Area Development Minister Atul Bora who was also present at the meeting said that today’s meeting is very important and historical.
“Today’s meeting was held by assimilating 123 villages. 12 regional committees will be formed within 10-12 days. The district committees will undertake joint surveys in the disputed areas to find tangible solutions to the long-pending issue based on historical perspective, ethnicity, contiguity, people’s will and administrative convenience of both the states,” Atul Bora said.
However, the terms of reference of the committees have also been finalized in the meeting.
Notably, Arunachal has encroached on Assam’s land in 6 districts. A total of 8395.25 hectares of land are under the encroachment of Arunachal.
The districts in which Arunachal has encroached on Assam’s land are Sonitpur 1.08 hectare, Biswanath 4751 hectare, Lakhimpur 1975.41 hectare, Dhemaji 1055.74 hectare, Dibrugarh 10 hectare and Charaideo 602.01 hectare.
Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and other senior officials from both the states were also present at the meeting.
This is the second CM-level meeting being held to resolve the decades-long boundary disputes between Assam and its neighbouring States, the first being the meetings held between Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma last year.
