DAPORIJO, 2 Jun: The Upper Subansiri-Kamle District Boundary Affected People’s Forum (USKDBAPF) has submitted a five-point memorandum to the Upper Subansiri deputy commissioner, demanding that a lawful, transparent, and mutually acceptable process be initiated immediately for physical demarcation of the boundary between Upper Subansiri and Kamle districts.
In the representation, USKDBAPF chairman Dosh Dasi Tamin stated that the Home Department through a Notification No HMB (A) l75/2018, dated 27 May,2020 reportedly extended the jurisdiction of the Raga police station up to the Sigin River under Kamle district, covering several areas and colonies, including Sigum Rijo, Dilidi Colony, Sinyik Colony, Power Grid Colony, Santi Colony, Lidu Colony, Veterinary Colony, and PI and Degiam Yorlo Colony in Kamle district, which have “historically, socially, and administratively remained associated with Upper Subansiri district.” These colonies together comprise a population of approximately 5,000-6,000, the forum stated.
Objecting to the notification, the forum stated that, as per the Arunachal Pradesh (Reorganisation of Districts) Act, 1980 and 2017, only Ligu and Liruk villages were carved out and included under Kamle district through a deed of agreement.
“No other areas of Upper Subansiri district were included under the jurisdiction of Kamle district under the said Act,” it claimed.
It demanded a review of Notification No HMB (A) 175/2018, dated 27 May, 2020 and sought a corrigendum or re-notification to “address concerns over changes to the territorial understandings of the district’s boundary.”
It said that, prior to the Arunachal Pradesh (Reorganisation of Districts) (Amendment) Act, 2017, Bopi village had traditionally been regarded as the actual historical and customary boundary point of Upper Subansiri district.
The USKDBAPF stated that several key government establishments and public infrastructures on the western bank of the Sigin River towards Raga, including the veterinary office, EE (electrical) office, the power subdivision office, Hydropower Development Department office, 132/33 kv sub-station, 33/11 kv sub-station, office and staff quarters in Power Grid Colony, CJI and JMFC bungalows, sports complex, meditation and yoga training centre in Lidu Colony, and the Water Resources SE office have functioned under the administrative jurisdiction of Upper Subansiri district. These offices and establishments were established and have functioned under the jurisdiction of Upper Subansiri district for several decades, it said.
It further stated that approximately 99.9 per cent of the residents of Sigum Rijo and Dilidi Colony, with a combined population of about 2,000, have been permanent residents under Upper Subansiri district since prior to the Arunachal Pradesh (Reorganisation of Districts) (Amendment) Act, 2017.
“Similarly, around 95 per cent of the residents of Sinyik Colony, PI Colony, Veterinary Colony, Lidu Colony, Santi Colony, and Power Grid Colony have been residing in these areas for decades and have consistently remained under the administrative framework of Upper Subansiri district. Their public records, residential settlements, educational institutions, community organisations, and government services have long been linked with Upper Subansiri district,” the forum stated in the memo.
The forum further sought construction of an official ‘welcome gate’ at JNV Gate – 5 km from the RCC bridge over the Sigin River; conducting of census 2026 in the affected areas under the supervision of the principal census officer-cum-deputy commissioner to ensure accurate administrative records; and constitution of a joint verification committee for carrying out field survey and final demarcation.
