New Delhi, Aug 13: MPs from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday appealed to the people living along the border of the two states to maintain peace, live harmoniously and resolve their differences through dialogue.
The appeal was made by the MPs after a meeting was convened to take stock of the situation along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border where tension gripped following an incident of firing on Wednesday, injuring 11 people.
"MPs of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh appeal for maintenance of peace along the border. We must live together harmoniously as brothers and sisters and settle any land dispute through peaceful negotiation only," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, flanked by MPs from Assam, said.
He said the relationship between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is a deep bond, built over many generations and rooted in brotherhood, affection and mutual respect.
"Through dialogue, we are resolving our differences, and even if every issue does not find a solution, we will continue to move forward on this path. Perhaps our borders are separate, but our hearts are one," Rijiju, an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said.
The minister said Arunachal Pradesh had been curved out of Assam and people of the two states live like brothers and sisters.
He said some disputes take place sometimes at the local level, similar to a family dispute, and there cannot be a fight between the two states for that.
"It was a total misunderstanding. We jointly appeal that whatever happened should be settled harmoniously.
"I have spoken to both the CMs. They are in touch. Senior state ministers are visiting the spots and talks are going on at the local level," he said.
Rijiju said there may be issues but everyone should jointly work to solve the problems.
"We all MPs sat together and discussed the issue. We are always together. Northeast is one family," he said.
Tension gripped Assam and Arunachal Pradesh following a firing incident on Wednesday along the border in which several people from Assam were injured.
The incident took place in the Bodoti area of Mingmang along the inter-state boundary, with reports putting the number of injured at 11. Both state administrations subsequently stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating.
The incident was followed by an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh launched by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), an apex student organisation of Assam's Mising community, on Wednesday.
The organisation demanded action against those allegedly involved in the firing and sought their arrest. The blockade affected road links and movement of goods between the two states.
The situation witnessed a further escalation on Thursday when fresh tension was reported in the Likabali area of Lower Siang district, with protesters from the two sides coming face-to-face. Police fired warning shots in the air to disperse the crowd, according to reports.
Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu respectively, have also appealed for peace. (PTI)