Arunachal Pradesh Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao has stepped in to mediate the escalating boundary row between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, urging the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) to immediately call off its ongoing indefinite economic blockade along the inter-state border. The appeal was made during a formal meeting held at the lawmaker’s private residence in New Delhi on Wednesday, where leaders of the prominent student organisation gathered to discuss the situation following recent violent clashes along the shared boundary.
Delhi Meeting and Student Delegation Representation
The student delegation from Assam was led by TMPK President Tilak Doley. Several key office bearers of the organization participated in the high-level discussion with the parliamentary representative. Among those present in the meeting were Vice-President Pongkil Patir, Secretary Ajay Mili, alongside Joint Secretaries Migom Doley, Budhin Doley, and Monideep Pegu. During the interaction, the MP engaged with the student leaders on finding a constructive pathway to cool down rising tensions.
Expressing optimism after the meeting, Gao shared details of the discussion on social media, highlighting the cooperative approach shown by the visiting student leaders. Gao noted, "I appreciate their positive response and cooperation and remain hopeful of an amicable resolution in the larger interest of the people." He underscored that lingering disputes must be addressed through structured dialogue rather than restrictive blockades that cause public hardship.
Background of the Boundary Conflict and Firing Incident
The ongoing agitation by the apex student body of Assam's Mising community stems from a violent confrontation that erupted earlier in the week. On Monday, a shooting incident took place at Mingmang Badati, situated in the Dhemaji district along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The conflict flared up over long-standing allegations of land encroachment across the border area, resulting in gunfire that left 12 people from Assam injured. The incident also linked to unrest surrounding Hime village, further aggravating inter-community friction.
In the direct aftermath of the violence, TMPK announced an indefinite economic blockade targeted against Arunachal Pradesh to demand accountability and resolution. The blockade has significantly disrupted road transit across multiple critical border crossings connecting the two northeastern states.
Border Routes Blocked and Potential Community Impact
The economic blockade has disrupted several key arterial routes connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Major choke points established by the demonstrators include stretches at Dwarmukh-Banderdewa, Ruksin in Dhemaji district, and Banderdewa in Lakhimpur district. Furthermore, key transit passages at Solengi in Gohpur and Pabhoi in Biswanath have also been blocked by agitators, severing crucial transport links between neighboring districts.
Emphasizing the wider consequences of the shutdown, Gao warned that prolonged disruption of commercial and public transport would severely affect ordinary citizens living on both sides of the inter-state border. He stressed the imperative of safeguarding long-standing peace and social harmony among neighboring communities in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, urging all stakeholders to prioritize peaceful negotiations over economic blockades.
