The border problem between the two neighbouring states since 1972 was resolved with the initiative of the Chief Ministers of the two states. With the political will of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and the active “cooperation” of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the path to permanent peace has now been paved on the border of the two neighbouring states. The ‘MoU’ to resolve the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border issue was signed in Delhi on Thursday evening. Apart from the two chief ministers, Amit Shah himself was also present at the North Block event.

Assam shares an 804-kilometre-long border with Arunachal Pradesh. There was a dispute between the two states over the claims of 123 villages on the border. A local commission was formed in 2007 to resolve boundary disputes. But there was no settlement, and as a result, the dispute reached the Supreme Court. However, by accepting the report of the local commission in 2007, the two states have now reached an agreement to resolve the boundary dispute. Out of 123 troubled villages, all the problems have been resolved. The boundaries of some villages have to be demarcated only through the Survey of India.

Several rounds of meetings were held between the Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to resolve the boundary dispute. In a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the two states held at Namchai in Arunachal Pradesh on July 15, 2022, the number of affected villages was reduced from 123 to 86. 37 villages are divided among themselves to solve the problem. 12 regional committees were formed to resolve the remaining 86 villages in twelve districts, which jointly visited the disputed villages, spoke to the local people, and submitted reports.

Based on that report, the border dispute between the two states was settled. After signing the ‘MoU’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, ‘We have witnessed a historic moment in the North East Since 1972, the border issue between the two states has not been resolved yet. The government has been in court since 2007, according to the local commission report. But by accepting that report, the two state governments have resolved the long-standing border issue.’ He claimed, ‘Narendra Modi’s dream of a developed, peaceful, conflict-free North East has been largely fulfilled.’

He said, ‘Bru agreement was reached in 2020 to restore peace in the North-East, an agreement was reached with the NLFT in 2019, and a major agreement was signed in 2021. Then, in 2022, the Karbi Treaty, the Aboriginal Peace Treaty was signed. More than 8,000 youths have given up arms and returned to the mainstream. The development is across the Northeast, with a 66 percent drop in violence. Deaths of security personnel decreased by 60 percent, and civilian deaths decreased by 83 percent. Afspa has been withdrawn from 70 percent of Assam. It has become possible under Modi’s rule.’

Assam’s border dispute with Meghalaya was 66 percent resolved in 2022. Assam has settled its border problem with the 800-kilometre-long Arunachal. This is a good sign for the entire Northeast, says Amit. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said today is a historic day for the two states at the signing ceremony. The border issue had been going on for more than fifty years, but was resolved with the initiative of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma. Solving the problem of 123 villages will lead to peaceful coexistence in the two states.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. He said, “When I went to meet the Home Minister for the first time as Chief Minister, he said that the country is now celebrating 75 years of independence. Hence, the boundary dispute between the North Eastern states should also be settled. According to his instructions, the dispute with Meghalaya has also been resolved a lot. The border dispute with Arunachal Pradesh was settled today. The regional committee went to the disputed villages, talked to the local people. Moreover, the decision has been taken after examining the report of the local commission, the documents filed in the Supreme Court.”