Assam, Arunachal agree to fast-track border demarcation in 33 disputed villages

Guwahati, October 14 (IANS): Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have agreed to expedite boundary demarcation and prepare a roadmap for resolving long-pending disputes in villages along their inter-state border, following the second meeting of the regional committee dealing with areas under Papum Pare district and Assam's Biswanath and Lakhimpur districts, officials said on Wednesday.  The meeting was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Urban Affairs Minister, Balo Raja, and Assam Revenue Minister, Keshab Mahanta, who led their respective delegations.Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, Arunachal's Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Mamu Hage, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu and MP Ranjit Dutta were also present.During the meeting, district officials reviewed progress since the previous meeting held on January 9, 2023, including joint field inspections undertaken to identify disputed areas and facilitate a mutually acceptable settlement.Officials said the disputed villages had been classified into three categories to streamline the resolution process.Nine villages fall under Category-I, while 22 villages with relatively minor localised disputes under Category-II, and two villages with complex disagreements under Category-III.The committees agreed to instal boundary pillars immediately in the nine Category-I villages.Disputes concerning Category-II villages will be addressed by the respective district administrations. Both states also decided to engage the Survey of India to initiate formal boundary demarcation within two months.They agreed to maintain the status quo according to mutually accepted cut-off dates, prevent fresh encroachments and tree felling in disputed areas, and initiate procedures to withdraw FIRs registered against officials of either state.For the two Category-III villages where consensus remains elusive, the committee will prepare a roadmap after consultations with local legislators, district officials and residents.The next regional committee meeting is scheduled for late December.The Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute dates back to 1951, when areas covering more than 3,600 square kilometres were transferred from the North-East Frontier Agency to Assam following recommendations of the Gopinath Bordoloi committee.Arunachal Pradesh subsequently challenged the arrangement. The latest initiative follows the Namsai Declaration signed by the two states' chief ministers on July 15, 2022.The agreement reduced the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86 and established 12 regional committees to pursue a negotiated settlement.