Guwahati: The long pending border disputes between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has been resolved following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two State chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and and Pema Khandu respectively in presence of Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday. The boundary settlement agreement signing ceremony between the two north-eastern governments was initiated by the Union home affairs ministry at the North Block.
Speaking on the occasion, Shah said that it was a red letter day for both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh resolving their boundary disputes amicably. Shah exuded optimism that the boundary settlement would usher in all round development and peace in the region. He added that 123 disputed villages on both sides of the inter-State border along an 800 kilometer long stretch have been resolved at a time when the nation is celebrating 75th year of its independence.
Both Sarma and Khandu termed the signing of MoU as historic and exuded optimism that it would bring about a sea change on the peace and prosperity of the region. Union minister Kiren Rijiju, Assam ministers Atul Bora, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Keshab Mahanta, Bimal Borah, Sanjay Kishan, State chief secretary Paban Kumar Borthakur along with a host of senior officials of MHA were present. Assam cabinet had earlier approved the recommendations given by twelve regional committees formed to resolve the decades-long border row.
Sarma discussed with his Arunachal counterpart several times over the issue. In July last year, both the governments signed the Namsai Declaration in which it was agreed to bring down the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86 and formed 12 committees to visit disputed areas and take feedback from local residents. Assam and Meghalaya governments have also signed an agreement in March 2022 with an aim to resolve five decades old border disputes between the two States.
Buddha Bharat
