Assam-Arunachal boundary talks: Dist-level committees to be formed for resolution

Guwahati, April 20 Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments today decided to constitute 12 district-level committees each in both the states to resolve the decades-long inter-state boundary problems in a time-bound manner.

The decision was taken at the second round of the chief minister-level boundary talks chaired by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu at the Assam State Guest House at Koinadhara hills here.

“We decided to form district-level committees in both the states to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner. The committees will undertake joint surveys in the disputed areas to find tangible solutions to the long-pending issue based on historical perspective, contiguity, people’s will and administrative convenience of both the states,” Assam chief minister Sarma informed.

“We have also finalised the terms of reference of the committees. Cabinet colleague Atul Bora, Assam chief secretary Jishnu Baruah, Arunachal Pradesh chief secretary Naresh Kumar and other senior officials from both the states were also present,” he said.

 Assam border areas development minister Atul Bora said 12 district-level committees would be constituted by each of the two states to resolve the inter-state boundary issues in the next 10 days or so. 

Members of the regional committees, he said, would make joint visits in the inter-state boundary areas to meet the residents.

“Before the joint visits by the regional (district) committees, the two chief ministers will meet again and discuss the way forward. We believe that while it may take time, solutions could be arrived at in the manner adhered to by Assam and Meghalaya in regard to six areas of differences,” Bora said.

The inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh covers 123 villages covering an area of about 850 sq. km.