Itanagar, Aug 12: An economic and road blockade imposed by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary began on Wednesday, disrupting movement on key routes and leaving several people stranded near the inter-state check gates, sources said.
The blockade was called by the Assam-based students’ body, TMPK, in protest against the August 10 incident at Hime village in Lower Siang district near the inter-state border, in which several villagers from Assam were reportedly injured in alleged firing.
TMPK has demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident and their handover to Assam Police. It has also urged the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to resolve the long-pending inter-State boundary dispute at the earliest.
The organisation said the agitation would continue indefinitely until its demands were addressed. However, TMPK members indicated that the blockade could be withdrawn if the Arunachal Pradesh government assured them that all those involved in the Hime village incident would be arrested.
The blockade has affected normal movement between the two states, with reports of commuters and other travellers facing inconvenience and delays. The disruption has also triggered concern and anger among people dependent on the inter-state routes.
Meanwhile, Galo Welfare Society general secretary Nyakar Rakshap appealed to the TMPK to initiate dialogue and resolve the issue through discussion. He urged all stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent further escalation, while calling upon the Arunachal Pradesh government to intervene and address the concerns arising from the Hime village incident.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday held discussions with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and representatives of the Galo Welfare Society, Galo Students Union and Dolok Bango Welfare Society on the situation arising from the incident.
Khandu said the priority was to facilitate dialogue and restore normalcy at the earliest. He said all concerned stakeholders were being engaged to maintain peace and uphold mutual trust.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also met representatives of the Adi Mising Students’ Union (ATMPK) and called for peace, harmony and mutual understanding between the communities of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
AAPSU president Meje Taku, who led the delegation, urged Khandu to engage with the Assam Chief Minister for an early and permanent resolution of the Assam-Arunachal boundary issue.
Advisor to the Home Minister Mutchu Mithi said maintenance of law and order was the prime requirement under the prevailing circumstances and that the responsibility rested on both sides. He termed the economic blockade unconstitutional.
Mithi said Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Home Minister Mama Natung were engaged in discussions with their Assam counterparts, while the Arunachal Indigenous Tribal Federation (AITF) was also in dialogue with the ATMPK.
With tensions persisting along the inter-state boundary, appeals for dialogue and restraint have gained urgency as authorities and community organisations seek to prevent further escalation and restore normal movement between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.