Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with Home Minister Amit Shah in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to settle the long-running border issue between the two states. Both Chief Ministers attended the ceremony at the Ministry of Home Affairs’ North Block and expressed gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah for attending and taking the initiative to find a peaceful settlement.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu stated, “It is a historic day today for both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. We thank Home Minister Amit Shah for his presence and his initiative. We will make sure that there will be peaceful coexistence between the two states.” He also reiterated his commitment to upholding peace in the border regions and praised the 12 regional committees from both states for their support.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recalled their initial encounter, at which Home Minister Amit Shah promised to settle the border conflicts in the Northeastern states. “We started the talks with Meghalaya then and gradually extended our discussions with other states. Today’s decision to sign the MoU between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is a result of those efforts,” he stated, expressing his appreciation for the Home Minister’s step and initiative.
The border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has been a controversial topic for the past 50 years with 123 disputed villages. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that out of these villages, the understanding has been reached for all but 2-3 villages, which are currently under survey. Further bolstering the desire for peaceful cohabitation, Arunachal Pradesh has also consented to transfer a significant piece of land in Jorhat town to Assam as a goodwill gesture.
Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as well as the two Chief Ministers for the historic settlement of the boundary issue, which had persisted since 1972.
“Around 700 km, approximately 800 km of Assam-Arunachal border disputes have been resolved today. I congratulate the people of both states and the Chief Ministers for their efforts in reaching this milestone,” he said. He further stated that similar efforts will be made to resolve border disputes with other Northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland.