Assam, Arunachal sign pact to resolve border dispute

Following the meeting, Khandu said, “Namsai Declaration is hugely significant and a landmark progress towards enduring brotherhood, peace and prosperity in the North East.” Sarma also endorsed the pact, saying the two states would thrash out a resolution based on the agreement by September 15.

Speaking to reporters, Sarma said reducing the areas of dispute from 123 to 86 was “historic”.

As per the declaration, both the states will now constitute 12 regional committees, each for the 12 districts where there is a dispute. These committees will jointly verify the concerned villages and thereafter make recommendations to the respective state governments “keeping in view the historical perspective, administrative convenience, contiguity and people’s will”.

A senior official from Assam privy to the developments said the reduction of the sites of conflict was a “significant step forward”. Out of the 37 villages, it has been agreed that while 34 villages fell within the border of Arunachal Pradesh, the rest three lay in Assam.

In August 2021, Sarma had told the Assam Assembly that there were at least 1,200 areas of dispute along the border with Arunachal Pradesh, and that the two states were working toward resolving them.