BOUNDARY DISPUTES: Assam, Arunachal may start joint exercises by July

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam and Arunachal governments will start their joint exercise from July-end or early August this year to resolve their inter-state boundary disputes. Both the state governments opted for an out-of-court settlement of the boundary disputes. The two chief ministers may meet this month at Itanagar.

The two-state governments formed 12 regional committees each for a joint visit to the disputed inter-state border stretches. The regional committees were the outcome of the meeting held between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu in Guwahati on April 20 this year.

Talking to The Sentinel, Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora said, "When this government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Minister took oath in May 2021, resolving boundary disputes with the neighbouring states was one of its thrust areas."

Bora further said, "We have proceeded to a direction with Meghalaya to resolve the boundary disputes. The two state governments signed an agreement in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Ministers will meet this month, possibly at Itanagar. The regional committees may also attend the meeting between the two Chief Ministers. After the Chief Minister-level meeting, the regional committees of both the states will jointly visit 123 disputed villages, interact with the local populace and submit the reports to their respective Chief Ministers."

"Assam is hopeful of a solution to the boundary disputes as both the State Governments have come forward to resolve the disputes amicably," Bora said.

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