Determined to resolve border issues with Assam: Arunachal CM Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pima Khandu on Wednesday said that both the governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are committed to finding a lasting solution to all existing border issues between the two neighboring states.

A permanent solution to the inter-state border issue with Assam is not far off. With the active support of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the first round of meetings has been held to resolve the issue. The second round will be held in the next few days, “said the Chief Minister.

He was addressing the Silver Jubilee Mopin ceremony at Hime in Kangku Circle, Lower Siang District.

Acknowledging the obstacles people face in the foothills of the Lower Siang District due to decades-old border issues, Khandu said that after the second meeting, all stakeholders would pay a ground visit.

“Both Sarma and I are committed to finding a lasting solution to all our current border issues,” he said.
Earlier this year, Sarma had said that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh had decided to conduct a ground-level survey on the status of inter-state boundaries as a step towards resolving the border dispute.

The Arunachal government last year formed a high-powered ministerial committee comprising representatives of several political parties, community-based organizations and student organizations to study and resolve the issue.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have an 804 km long border, and there is a dispute over 1,200 points.

Khandu, meanwhile, praised Mopin’s gestures by the leaders of the missing independent council to attend the celebrations. He said that the presence of Paramananda Chayengia, chairman of the council, along with representatives of prominent Mashing organizations at the fair, proved the friendship and brotherhood between the people of the two border states.

“Due to administrative constraints, we have to maintain a permanent inter-state boundary. Otherwise, we have been living in peace for centuries,” he said.

The day-long celebrations saw the Gallo Welfare Society and Mashing Bin Kebang pledge to promote peace and harmony between the two neighboring states.