Assam-Arunachal border firing leaves 11 hurt, both states rush to defuse tension

Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung said that the incident happened in the plains of Lower Siang and district administration from both sides got into action and resolved the same by Monday evening.

Around 11 people were injured in the firing along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Monday.

Talking to media persons he said, “Some people from Arunachal including village head men were captured in Assam side and vice versa. There was a discussion and there was no tension as such. Assam is our neighbour and it is like a big brother to us. We respect Assam and we are the younger brother of Assam. We are neighbours. Former Prime minister A B Vajpayee had said "we can change our friends but neighbours do not change.”


He added, “We appeal for peace. The regional committee meeting on border issues which could not happen due to assembly polls in Assam will soon take place. Both Assam and Arunachal with love and will find an amicable solution to the border issue.”

Four injured in a firing incident along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district are recovering at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, with all of them now out of danger.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who was deputed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to engage with Arunachal Pradesh counterparts following the incident, on Tuesday, said the four injured were undergoing treatment at AMCH and their condition is stable.

Pegu stated in X, “I spoke to Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan, Superintendent of Assam Medical College & Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, and enquired about the health condition of the four youths injured in the firing incident at Ming Mang Bodoti village along the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district. I am informed that all four injured persons are undergoing treatment at AMCH and out of any danger. Utpal Doley, who sustained injury to his right eye, has shown improvement in vision, though a metallic foreign body has been detected in the orbit and further specialised treatment may be required. Pama Pegu, Utpal Doley and Bhaijan Doley, who sustained injuries in different parts of the body, are under the care of the Department of Surgery. They are presently undergoing necessary surgical procedures. I have requested the hospital authorities to extend all necessary medical care to the injured and am keeping in touch regarding their condition. I pray for their speedy and complete recovery.”

The firing took place at Badati village under Ming Mang, around 21 km from Gogamukh Chariali, following a confrontation between local residents and a group from the Arunachal Pradesh side over an alleged land encroachment and ownership dispute, police officials said.

The confrontation escalated when the group allegedly opened fire on villagers from the Assam side, leaving eight people injured, according to officials. The total number of injured in the incident was later reported at 11, the police said.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km-long border. The two states have been in discussions to resolve the border dispute with Sarma and Khandu signing the Namsai Declaration on July 15, 2022, wherein they had pledged to find a solution soon.

Officials said the two states decided to resolve the dispute in 123 villages. After that there has been a series of meetings between the two states and much headway has been made to resolve the disputes in several areas.

Assam has an interstate border dispute with Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Parleys are on to resolve border disputes with these states.

On July 26, 2021, there were clashes along Assam-Mizoram border which resulted in the death of seven people and injuries to several others. The Union Home ministry had to intervene.