Border fury: Assam-Arunachal tensions escalate as protesters pelt stones at security forces

Tension continued along the Silapathar-Likabali highway on August 13 as an ongoing economic blockade over a recent Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border firing incident escalated into stone-pelting, with police and CRPF personnel coming under attack from protesters on both sides.

The situation remained tense in parts of Dhemaji in Assam and Lower Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, where the recent border firing incident triggered heightened tensions between members of the Mising and Galo communities.

The firing incident, reported on August 10 at Mingmang Basti along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border under the Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh police station in Dhemaji, left 12 people injured. The incident reportedly followed a dispute over alleged encroachment of Assam land by people from Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the incident, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) launched an indefinite economic blockade on August 12, disrupting road connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh at several points.

The continuing blockade along the Silapathar-Likabali route has added to tensions in the region. During the latest developments, protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, with security personnel, including police and CRPF personnel, being hit by stones from both sides.

The administration has appealed to protesters and residents to maintain peace and harmony and avoid any action that could further escalate tensions between the two neighbouring states.

The TMPK, along with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), has demanded the arrest of those allegedly responsible for the firing and their handover to Assam Police. The organisations have also called for an early resolution of the long-pending Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border dispute and an end to alleged encroachment on Assam territory.

Vehicles bearing Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers have reportedly been stopped at several entry points as part of the blockade.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km inter-state boundary, with several disputed locations along the border. Both governments have been pursuing a resolution through regional committees and the Namsai Declaration framework.

With the situation remaining sensitive, authorities are closely monitoring the affected areas and urging all sides to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation and maintain peace along the inter-state border.