An economic blockade called by the Takam Mising Porin Kébang (TMPK) over Monday’s firing incident at Hime village along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary disrupted vehicular movement at several entry points to Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday.The blockade was imposed in response to the violent incident in Lower Siang district, which left at least 12 people injured. TMPK supporters stopped vehicles at entry check gates in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh and demanded the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of those allegedly responsible for the firing.The development affected movement between the two neighbouring states, with several roads and entry points witnessing protests and long queues of stranded vehicles.Amid the tension, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke over the phone and discussed the situation. A state government official said the two leaders held a detailed discussion and agreed to take measures to bring the situation under control.The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) appealed for restraint and urged people on both sides of the border not to make statements or take actions that could further aggravate the situation.“All issues should be settled through dialogue and not by provocation. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have shared a boundary for a long time and have lived peacefully, which should be maintained,” AAPSU president Meje Taku said.
Taku said AAPSU had also contacted the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) and student organisations in Assam to explore a peaceful resolution to the Hime village issue.The Galo Welfare Society (GWS), Lower Siang district, separately appealed to TMPK to withdraw the economic blockade. The organisation expressed concern over the incident but said it should not be viewed as a communal issue or an inter-state boundary dispute.“While we acknowledge with concern the unfortunate incident at Hime Village, we believe that the matter may be viewed as a local inter-village dispute concerning land and should not be construed as a communal issue or as an inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” the GWS said in an appeal to TMPK.The organisation said normalcy was gradually returning with the intervention of the district administrations and urged all sides to pursue the matter through dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful reconciliation. It also suggested a joint inquiry and appropriate administrative action while cautioning against steps that could cause hardship to ordinary people.In the Itanagar Capital Region, protesters blocked roads at the Gumto, Banderdewa and Hollongi check gates on the Assam side. Vehicles were stopped, with ambulances being allowed to pass. No major untoward incident was reported, although the situation remained tense.
The protest at Banderdewa was called off at around 6 pm, after which stranded people on both sides were allowed to move as traffic resumed.Naharlagun Superintendent of Police Dr Nyelam Nega said protesters had indicated that they would wait for a response from the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments. “As per the protesters, they will wait tonight for a positive response from both the Arunachal Pradesh and Assam governments regarding their grievances. If their demands are not addressed, they have stated that they will return to the Banderdewa Check Gate at around 5 am on Thursday and resume the dharna protest along with an economic blockade,” Nega said.At the Gumto check gate, stranded passengers appealed to the authorities to intervene and resolve the issue.“Ordinary citizens are facing trouble due to this blockade. I appeal to both the Assam and Arunachal governments to find a solution in the best interest of everyone,” a stranded passenger said.Dilip Pegu, joint secretary of the Mising Mimag Kébang (MMK), said the protesters were prepared to withdraw the blockade if the Arunachal Pradesh government assured action against the person allegedly involved in the firing and provided compensation to the victim.“We want to hear from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. If he assures positive action, we will withdraw the blockade. We also don’t want to trouble anyone but only seek justice,” Pegu said. At Shantipur Gate in Lower Dibang Valley, movement of vehicles, including two-wheelers and bicycles, was stopped, while pedestrians were allowed to cross.
