Assam bandh over alleged firing on Arunachal border disrupts travel in Dhemaji
A 12-hour bandh in Dhemaji, Assam, was called to protest an alleged firing that injured 11 villagers along the Arunachal border, affecting road links for six am
Organisations in Assam’s Dhemaji district called for a 12-hour bandh on Wednesday to protest an alleged firing incident along the Arunachal Pradesh border. The protest was observed from 6 am to 6 pm, with reports of disruption to normal life and road communication between the two states.
The bandh was called by Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), a Mising student organisation, along with several other groups. They condemned the firing that injured 11 villagers from Assam, alleging it was carried out by people from Arunachal Pradesh.
Demand for arrests and action on law and order
TMPK said the firing targeted people from Badati under the Gogamukh circle in Dhemaji. The groups demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and their handover to Assam Police. They also warned that if their demands were not met, they would expand the protest into an indefinite road blockade.
Reports indicate the incident happened on August 10 at Mingmang Badati. According to the report, tensions rose after a dispute over alleged occupation of land claimed by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The situation reportedly escalated when residents of Assam moved to the area to object to the alleged occupation.
Treatment under way; border talks to continue
The 11 injured persons are reported to be undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an interstate boundary of about 804 km, and the report says there are roughly 1,200 disputed points along the border.
Assam minister Ranoj Pegu said he spoke with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Pegu said Khandu assured him of a proper and impartial investigation into the firing and that those found guilty would face action under the law. Pegu also said they discussed resuming border discussions through the Joint Regional Committees, noting that the Assam Cabinet reconstituted the committees at a meeting earlier this week.
