[ Bengia Ajum ]
ITANAGAR, 17 Aug: The Assam-based Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the student body of the Mising community, has called off its road and economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh on Monday following a meeting with Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The meeting, held here on Sunday, was attended by representatives of the Galo Youth Organisation, Adi Students' Union (AdiSU), Adi Ba:ne Kebang Youth Wing and All Lower Siang District Students' Union (ALSDSU).
The TMPK had imposed an economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh after violence broke out on August 10, when a group of people from Badati and nearby villages in Assam entered Hime village and clashed with locals.
People on both sides sustained injuries, with some villagers from Assam suffering gunshot wounds. The TMPK later temporarily suspended the blockade on August 13 following discussions with officials of the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments and community-based organisations from Arunachal Pradesh.
"In view of the fresh and specific assurances received from the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, TMPK has now decided to call off the agitation completely. We expect that all assurances will be implemented strictly, effectively and within a definite time frame," the TMPK stated.
It also said that it would continue to closely monitor developments and take an appropriate course of action if the commitments were not honoured. However, the TMPK clarified that its struggle was against injustice, violence and impunity, and not against the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
"We remain committed to peace, justice, fraternity and a permanent, mutually acceptable resolution of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border issue," it added.
On Sunday, a joint delegation of the Adi Ba:ne Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW), Adi Students' Union (AdiSU), Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), Galo Youth Organisation (GYO) and All Lower Siang District Students' Union (ALSDSU) met with the Chief Minister. During the meeting, the delegation submitted a joint resolution adopted at a peace and harmony meeting held at Likabali in Lower Siang district in the wake of the recent incident at Hime village and the resultant tension along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary.
The organisations called for a free, fair and time-bound probe into the incident. They also demanded strict action against anyone responsible for violence, destruction of property or intimidation, irrespective of their community or organisational affiliation. The joint resolution further proposed the formation of a Joint Coordination Committee comprising the presidents of the TMPK, ABKYW, AdiSU and GYO.
The TMPK's decision to impose an economic blockade across Arunachal Pradesh had angered Arunachal residents, with people facing considerable hardship due to the blockade.
