Dibrugarh: Tension prevailed along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border near Likabali after incidents of stone-pelting were reported on Thursday.
Sources said Assam Police fired four rounds after miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh allegedly pelted stones at protesters near the inter-state border.
“No injuries were reported. The situation is currently under control, and authorities are monitoring developments closely,” a source said.
Organisations in Assam have imposed an economic blockade since Wednesday in several border areas of north Assam.
The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), an organisation representing the Mising community in Assam, called a 12-hour shutdown in Dhemaji district on Wednesday in retaliation for the firing that injured 11 Assam villagers in the Mingmang Bodoti area along the boundary on Monday.
The firing followed a dispute over land claimed by Assam and alleged occupation by people from Arunachal Pradesh.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday appealed to the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to maintain peace and harmony.
Sharing a post on X, Sarma said, “Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share a bond that goes far beyond boundaries. For generations, our people have lived as brothers and sisters, bound by love, affection and mutual respect.”
“In recent years, we have resolved most of our border differences through dialogue and friendship. Only 52 villages remain, and both governments will continue discussions in the same spirit to resolve the dispute completely,” he said.
He added, “I appeal to the people of Assam and Arunachal to maintain peace and harmony. Boundaries may define our states, but they can never divide our hearts.”
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also welcomed Sarma’s statement.
“I heartily welcome the positive and reassuring statement by Hon’ble Assam Chief Minister Shri @himantabiswa Ji. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share a deep bond of history, friendship and brotherhood. Our differences must always be addressed through dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful means,” Khandu wrote on X.
He added, “I appeal to the people of both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to maintain peace, harmony and mutual respect. Let us not allow differences to overshadow the strong bonds that unite our people.”
Khandu also said he had held discussions on the situation arising from the recent incident at Hime village near the Assam border with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and representatives of the Galo Welfare Society, Galo Students Union and Dolok Bango Welfare Society.
“The priority is to facilitate dialogue and restore normalcy at the earliest. All concerned stakeholders are being engaged to maintain peace and uphold mutual trust,” Khandu said.
All 11 individuals who sustained bullet injuries are undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.