Arunachal MLAs Want Solution of Border Row with Assam

Itanagar, Sep 5 : Several legislators in Arunachal Pradesh have urged the state government to resolve the decades-old boundary dispute with Assam.

In the Assembly yesterday, Trinamool Congress MLA Kamthok Lowang pressed for expediting the findings of the one-man Boundary Commission, besides urging the state government to take up the issue seriously with its Assam counterparts.

Referring to the recent boundary flare-up at Kamkuh Rusa under Kanubari sub-division in Tirap district, Lowang said that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, both ruled by the same party, can easily settle the dispute through discussions.

He further demanded construction of an inter-district road without touching Assam in order to avoid incidents like that of the recent economic blockade.

Participating in the discussion, Home Minister Tako Dabi said when the status quo was in place, peace needed to be maintained along the disputed boundary areas.

He emphasised on the urgent need to show restraint by both sides till the Boundary Commission comes up with a solution.

Avowing that a strong political will was needed for an early solution to the boundary imbroglio, Dabi suggested a road map for development of the disputed areas along the inter-state border.

Finance Minister Setong Sena, who had led a delegation to hold parleys with the Assam government recently at Dispur, told the House that both the governments have decided to maintain peace and normalcy in the disputed areas.

He further informed that both Assam and Arunachal have decided to maintain status quo till the commission submits its report.

Sharing his sentiment on the vexed issue, Laeta Umbrey of the Trinamool Congress felt that the Centre should intervene into the boundary dispute between the two neigbours.

Kanubari MLA Newlai Tingkhatra also sought government's patronage for road connectivity from Kanubari to Bogapani, and urged early establishment of various departments.