Guwahati, Aug 12: Two days after several people from Assam were injured in firing by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh along the inter-state border, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said his counterpart Pema Khandu "must" order an inquiry into the incident and ensure that those responsible are punished.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who was deputed by Sarma to monitor the situation along the border, said Khandu had assured him of strict action against those responsible for the firing.
Meanwhile, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the apex student organisation of Assam’s Mising community, launched an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the alleged firing.
At least 12 people from Assam were injured in the alleged firing incident on August 10 at Mingmang Basti along the Assam-Arunachal border in Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh Police Station.
"We should not fight, we should not indulge in conflict. Ultimately we have to remain together. I request the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister to order an inquiry, find the culprits, and punish them," Sarma said at a press conference here.
He said the incident was painful, primarily because both states have settled the boundary disputes in most of the sectors.
"Only in five sectors, some disputes remain. Yesterday in our Cabinet meeting, we reconstituted our regional committee so that we can resolve the issue with Arunachal," Sarma said.
"I don't think there will be a permanent conflict because we have so many similarities between the people of the two states. I think this is a temporary setback and we will overcome it," Sarma said.
Referring to the continuing border disputes, the CM said, "I hope that we will be able to settle our border dispute with Arunachal soon. The place where the clash took place is a disputed area. There has been no clash in the settled areas and permanent border pillars have been put up."
In a social media post, Pegu said, "Hon'ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri @PemaKhanduBJP ji, called me this morning and assured me that there will be a proper and impartial investigation into the police firing incident at Bodoti, Mingmang, Dhemaji."
"He (Khandu) further assured that those found guilty will be dealt with in accordance with the law," Pegu added. (PTI)