| From a Correspondent |
ITANAGAR, Aug 16: A joint delegation of the Adi Ba:ne Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW), Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU), Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), Galo Youth Organisation (GYO) and All Lower Siang District Students’ Union (ALSDSU) met Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday and submitted a joint resolution adopted at Likabali on August 13, calling for peace, restraint and a time-bound resolution of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh inter-state boundary issue.
The delegation, led by ABKYW president Oki Dai, submitted the resolution following a joint peace and harmony meeting held at the DC Conference Hall, Likabali. The meeting brought together representatives of the five organisations to deliberate on the prevailing tension following the recent Hime village incident, the subsequent economic blockade and other concerns related to the inter-state boundary.
The organisations called for a free, fair and time-bound investigation into the incident and demanded strict action against anyone found responsible for violence, destruction of property, intimidation or other unlawful activities, irrespective of community or organisational affiliation.
Reaffirming their commitment to peace, non-violence and communal harmony, the organisations appealed to all communities and organisations to refrain from statements or actions that could aggravate tensions among the Mising, Adi and Galo communities.
A key demand placed before the Chief Minister was for a permanent and time-bound settlement of the Assam-Arunachal boundary issue. The organisations urged the governments of both states to intensify efforts to resolve boundary-related disputes, particularly in areas inhabited by the Mising, Adi and Galo communities.
The resolution proposed constitution of a Joint Coordination Committee comprising the presidents of TMPK, ABKYW, AdiSU and GYO as a permanent consultative and coordination mechanism for addressing inter-State boundary concerns and other emerging disputes affecting border communities.
The organisations also resolved that no individual organisation would undertake unilateral action on boundary-related matters, including economic or road blockades, closure of establishments, mass mobilisation or other coercive measures, without first placing the matter before the proposed committee.
The resolution further appealed to all concerned to refrain from carrying, displaying or using firearms, daos or other lethal or dangerous weapons during disputes or confrontations in inter-State boundary areas. It called for strict action under applicable customary and legal provisions against those found using or threatening to use weapons.
The delegation also sought appropriate compensation, medical assistance and relief for victims of violence and their families from the respective governments, in accordance with applicable rules and provisions.
The resolution recorded TMPK's decision to lift or withdraw its economic blockade in the larger public interest and to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue, reconciliation and restoration of normalcy.
The Likabali deliberations followed heightened tension along the Assam-Arunachal border after the August 10 firing incident in the Dhemaji area, in which several people were injured. The incident was followed by an economic blockade in parts of Assam and heightened tension around Likabali.
The joint delegation's meeting with the Chief Minister underscored the participating organisations' preference for dialogue, constitutional mechanisms and peaceful means to address the long-standing boundary issue.
The organisations urged the state government to initiate appropriate high-level dialogue with Assam and work towards a durable and mutually acceptable settlement while maintaining peace, communal harmony and normalcy along the border.