Arunachal Pradesh Police orders probe into firing

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ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Police on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the reported exchange of fire in the inter-state border area between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, a senior police official said.

Illegal tree fellers from Arunachal Pradesh and forest officials from Assam reportedly exchanged fire along the inter-state boundary on Tuesday. Arunachal Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chuku Apa said that he had directed Papum Pare Superintendent of Police (SP) to inquire into the firing.

"We are not sure who fired from our side. Presumably, miscreants did it to create misunderstanding between the two neighbouring States," Apa said, adding, Papum Pare DC Pige Ligu on Monday convened an inter-State border districts coordination meeting between administration, police and forest officials of both the states.

High-ranking police officials, including Apa and IGP (Law & Order) from Assam, Deepak Kedia who were also present at the meeting advocated for proper liasoning and coordination from both sides to bridge the gap of trust deficient and mutual understanding between the two states, the IGP said.

Resentment was evoked among various organizations in Arunachal after Assam forest officials served a 15-day eviction notice to three villages under the Kimin circle of Papum Pare district last week.

Arunachal's grievance is that during the re-organization of north-eastern states, several forested tracts in the plains that had traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam.

After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood, a tripartite committee was appointed. The committee recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal. Assam contested this, and the matter is now pending in the Supreme Court.

Also Read: AAPSU condemns alleged activities of Assam forest, police officials in Arunachal Pradesh

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