Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments are likely to sign a memorandum of understanding this month to resolve the longstanding border disputes between the two states, Assam Minister Atul Bora said. Assam has finalised the draught MoU on its part and will forward it to the neighbouring state for its approval, he said.
“The draught of the MoU was discussed threadbare and given the final shape. “The copy will now be shared with them, and if they are agreeable, we expect it to be signed by as early as April 20 or at least within this month,” Bora said here after a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday evening.
He said the MoU will be signed by the two states in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “However, we cannot say that the memorandum of understanding will be the final solution. The court and Parliament are also there,” Bora, the minister for border area protection and development, said.
Members of 12 regional committees of Assam, local MLAs, MPs, and district administration officials were present at the meeting to finalise the draught MoU. The two states have been engaging in discussions to resolve the border disputes since Sarma and his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu signed the Namsai Declaration on July 15, last year, wherein they pledged to find solutions soon.
The two northeastern states had decided to restrict the number of ‘disputed villages’ to 86 instead of the previous 123. Regional committees dealing with specific areas were formed last year, comprising ministers, local MLAs, and officials from both sides to take the discussion forward. The two states share an 804.1-kilometre border.
The grievance of Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a union territory in 1972, is that several forested tracts in the plains that had traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee was appointed, which recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh.
