The situation in Hime village, Lower Siang district, which had appeared to be slowly returning to normal after the clash on 10 August, has once again escalated. There is an air of tension, with both sides standing firmly by their respective claims, making peace seem difficult to achieve at present.

The clash broke out after a group of people from Bodoti village in Assam allegedly attacked Hime village. Police forces from both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have since been deployed at Pompek, near Hime village.

While the situation remains tense, movement between Hime and Bodoti has been restricted as a precautionary measure. The deployment of security forces and restrictions on movement have helped bring the situation under control. However, as long as the underlying dispute over grazing land remains unresolved, it may be too early to hope for a lasting solution.

Yet, there is always room for hope, provided there is a willingness to pursue peace and work towards it. No one understands this better than people living along the border, where a single spark can undo all the efforts made towards maintaining peace and harmony.

Therefore, the villagers on both sides must restart dialogue and work towards rebuilding trust. The government can facilitate the process and play an important role in finding a solution, but a lasting and mutually acceptable agreement can only emerge when the people themselves are willing to accept it.