Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on Monday that the demarcation of boundaries between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam for six disputed districts is nearing completion, following significant progress in joint efforts between the two states.
Responding to BJP legislator Wangling Lowangdong’s query in the Assembly, Khandu reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the Namsai Declaration, signed on July 15, 2022.
“The boundary dispute between the two neighbouring states is being resolved amicably through an out-of-court settlement,” Khandu said.
Discussions with the Assam government regarding Changlang district will begin soon, he added.
Home Minister Mama Natung informed the House that reconstituted regional committees for the six districts—Pakke Kessang, Papum Pare, Kamle, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, and Longding—held their first meetings in September last year.
Joint inspections with Assam’s committees are underway to expedite the resolution process.
While a joint report detailing the latest developments and recommendations is pending, Natung highlighted that boundary disputes in five other districts—West Kameng, East Siang, Lohit, Tirap, and Namsai—have already been resolved.
However, challenges persist for Changlang district, as Assam initially opposed including the area, citing a 2014 local commission report that excluded disputed villages.
Natung also reiterated Arunachal Pradesh’s longstanding opposition to the unilateral Bordoloi Commission notification of 1951.
“Our efforts have led to an MoU enabling the adjustment of land and areas inhabited by Arunachali people within three kilometers into the state,” he said.
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The Namsai Declaration, signed after discussions between Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to minimise disputes over 123 villages presented by Arunachal Pradesh in 2007.
Both states have since agreed to reduce the number of disputed villages to 86.
Arunachal Pradesh, which became a union territory in 1972 and attained statehood in 1987, has consistently argued that several forested tracts traditionally belonging to hill tribal chiefs were transferred to Assam.
Despite a tripartite committee’s recommendation to return some territories, Assam contested the move, leading to prolonged legal proceedings in the Supreme Court.
The recent developments signal a mutual effort by the two northeastern states to resolve their long-standing boundary disputes through dialogue and collaboration.
