SC issues two-week notice to Assam

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, July 11: The Supreme Court has given the Assam government two weeks to reply to the Aruchal Pradesh government’s appeal to maintain the status quo of the inter-state boundary dispute. The case is currently with the apex court where hearing is underway arising from claims of encroachment by both states on its territories.

There have been several instances of violence arising from interstate boundary dispute. A local boundary commission headed by Justice (Retd) Tarun Chaterjee and formed by the court in 2013 had advised both states to maintain the status quo of the present boundary until a resolution is announced.

The two states have been embroiled in a boundary dispute along a 792 square kilometre area they share. Assam had filed the law suit on the boundary dispute way back in 1989 and recently, the apex court has framed the issues to be decided in the case.

The long-standing controversy reignited recently after allegations surfaced that Assam government officials including Biswath Chariali DFO along with district SP, SDPO and police officials had begun constructing outposts and other structures supplying electricity at Radaso Tili inside Aruchal territory. Aruchal Pradesh, fighting a 26-year-old law suit filed by Assam, on Friday moved the court alleging that certain constructions were being raised by its neighbouring state within the disputed areas. A three-judge bench headed by Justice T S Thakur sought a response from Assam government within two weeks on the interim application of Aruchal Pradesh.  During the brief hearing, the counsel for Assam assured the bench that in the meantime, it would not continue with the construction work in those areas. During the hearing today, the court orally advised the Assam government to not indulge in any activities which may unnecessarily create tension between the two states.  The counsel for the Assam government has also been told to convey the advice to state officials. The Aruchal Pradesh counsel also mentioned that provocative action undertaken by government officers of Assam are in the territory which, the Justice Tarun Chatterjee Commission has reported that the same is under the administrative control of Aruchal.