GUWAHATI — Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has assured that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted into the recent firing incident along the inter-state border with Assam, where at least 12 people sustained injuries earlier this week.
The assurance came during a phone conversation between Chief Minister Khandu and Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who was deputed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to assess the situation and bring about resolution.
The incident occurred on Monday in the Bodoti and Mingmang areas near Hime village, located along the Dhemaji district border. At least 12 individuals from Assam were injured after being fired upon from across the Arunachal Pradesh side during a confrontation linked to long-standing land encroachment disputes.
Taking to social media platform X, Minister Pegu stated, "Hon'ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu ji, called me this morning and assured me that there will be a proper and impartial investigation into the police firing incident at Bodoti, Mingmang, Dhemaji. He further assured that those found guilty will be dealt with in accordance with the law."
In response to the violent clash, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the apex student organization of the Mising community, initiated an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh, demanding accountability and swift legal measures against the perpetrators.
Addressing the broader context of border disputes, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted that significant progress has been made between both states. Sarma noted on X that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have successfully resolved a vast majority of boundary issues, with remaining friction limited to 52 designated areas currently under review by reconstituted Regional Committees.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Khandu held consultations with key civil society and student organizations in Arunachal Pradesh, including the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), the Galo Welfare Society, the Galo Students' Union, and the Dolok Bango Welfare Society.
"The priority is to facilitate dialogue and restore normalcy at the earliest," Khandu stated. "All concerned stakeholders are being engaged to maintain peace and uphold mutual trust."
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an extensive 804.1-kilometer border spanning 12 districts in Assam. While historic border friction involved over 1,200 disputed points, diplomatic talks and joint committee efforts over recent years have aimed to finalize permanent boundaries and prevent local flare-ups along the frontier.
