Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan recently visited Assam to review the progress of the border agreements with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. The goal is to finalize the boundaries within the next six months. During his visit, he met with senior officials from the Assam government and the Assam Police to assess the law and order situation, as reported by the Chief Minister’s office.
Review of Peace Agreements
Additionally, Mohan conducted a thorough review of several peace and border agreements. Notably, 15 clauses of the Karbi Accord, 6 clauses of the ULFA Accord, and 6 clauses of the DNLA Accord have already been successfully implemented. Meanwhile, the remaining clauses are in progress, with all parties actively involved in their execution.
Addressing Long-standing Border Disputes
Furthermore, the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute, which dates back to 1971, remains a significant issue. This dispute involves 12 areas, including Tarabari, Gizang, and Hahim. In a more recent development, the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border dispute, which had been unresolved for decades, was successfully addressed with a historic agreement, signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Militant Rehabilitation
In addition to the border agreements, Mohan also reviewed the rehabilitation efforts for surrendered militants. These individuals are being empowered through initiatives to help them create sustainable livelihoods and reintegrate into mainstream society. Both the Government of India and the Assam government have been actively involved in these efforts.
Discussions on Regional Issues
Meanwhile, several other critical issues were also discussed. These included improving law and order, managing floods and wetlands, and enhancing engagement with autonomous councils. Mohan, along with Cabinet Minister of Higher Education Ranoj Pegu, met with the Deputy CEM of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTC) and CEMs from the Tiwa, Mising, and Rabha Hasong Autonomous councils. They focused on securing Central support to fulfill regional aspirations.
Hahim Dispute Resolved
A significant achievement of this visit was the resolution of the Hahim area dispute. This breakthrough highlights the commitment of both Assam and Meghalaya to finding mutually agreeable solutions. The successful resolution of this issue sets a positive example for resolving other border disputes between the two states.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Looking ahead, Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh will work together to complete surveys of the disputed areas. Their continued cooperation will help ensure peace and prosperity in the North East. These efforts are part of the Modi government’s broader strategy to establish lasting peace in the region, which also includes important agreements such as the BRU, NLFT, and Karbi Anglong tribal peace accords.