Tension brews up in Assam-Aruchal border

Illegal construction

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, June 30: Tension is brewing up at Rashaso under Taraso circle in Papum Pare district of Aruchal Pradesh after Assam forest officials set up a beat office in the inter-state boundary area on Sunday last.

Papum Pare DC Tai Kaye accompanied by SP PN Khrimey and other administrative officials inspected the area on Monday.

Though the team tried to visit the area on Sunday, their movement was restricted by Assam police, Kaye said in a statement today.

During the visit, the DFO of Sonitpur was found supervising the illegal construction works heavily supported by Assam Police, Assam Reserve Battalion, and Para-military forces, the DC said adding, three semi-permanent structures were found erected on the side of the main approach road just about 200 metres from Rashaso village and the IRBn outpost.

“The construction site falls absolutely within the administrative jurisdiction of Papum Pare district,” he said.

Kaye, while talking to the DFO termed it as an act of encroachment which dishonours the intervention of the Supreme Court into the inter-state boundary dispute by constituting the Local Boundary Commission which has already submitted its report in favour of Aruchal.

Assam has violated the status-quo directive of the union Home ministry which was issued to both the states while DFO Sonitpur was constructing a check gate at Jullang village (harjan) in 2014.

The DC informed the DFO that the construction of the beat house on the side of the age-old traditiol village approach road is highly objectioble and provocative on the part of the Assam Forest department as supposedly ordered by the chief secretary of Assam.

Kaye objected to the unilateral decision and activity of the Assam government undermining the sensitivity and without soliciting the good will and confidence of Aruchal and appealed the DFO to stop any further construction activity till the matter is critically examined, reviewed, and resolved.

Meanwhile, the DC has appealed to the public to maintain peace and calm, and not to take law into their hands as state government is actively looking into the matter.

Taking serious exception to the illegal construction Assembly Speaker bam Rebia on Monday during a press conference informed that the state government would move the Supreme Court on the illegal construction within Aruchal’s territory by Assam government.

Chief Minister bam Tuki and chief secretary spoke to their counterparts requesting to halt the process while the CM also drew the attention of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday, he disclosed.

Rebia, who represents Doimukh Assembly constituency under which Taraso comes, urged the Assam government to immediately stop such provocative act for maintaining peace.

Meanwhile, the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has appealed the Assam Government to stop the construction of the beat house.

The union accused the Assam Police of repeatedly harassing the local people and further appealed the people of the neighbouring state, especially the forest department of Assam to maintain status quo along the border. The union warned that they would be forced to take action and initiate movement against Assam if the beat house is constructed.

ANSU also urged the government of Aruchal Pradesh to take up the matter with Centre for early settlement of boundary problem between Assam-Aruchal Pradesh. It also appealed the Home Minister to deploy sufficient para-military force at border areas to protect lives and properties. They also called for creation of Aruchal regiment or Aruchal Arms Police Batallion (AAPBN) to guard Aruchalee land and its people from encroachers.