Bengia Ajum
ITANAGAR, 12 Aug: The economic blockade imposed against Arunachal Pradesh by Takam Mising Porin Kébang (TMPK) caused major disruption across the state on Wednesday. TMPK supporters stopped vehicular movement at entry check gates from the eastern to the western parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The economic blockade was imposed in response to Monday's violent incident at Hime village along the Assam-Arunachal boundary in Lower Siang district, which left at least 12 people injured.
TMPK has demanded the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the violence. Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke over the phone. A state government official said that both leaders discussed the prevailing situation at length and agreed to take measures to resolve the tension.
Meanwhile, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has urged restraint and called upon people of both states not to provoke each other.
"All issues should be settled through dialogue and not by provocation. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have shared a boundary for a long time and have lived peacefully, which should be maintained," said AAPSU president Meje Taku. He also informed that AAPSU had contacted the North East Students' Organisation (NESO) and Assam-based student organisations for a peaceful resolution to the Hime village conflict.
The Galo Welfare Society (GWS), Lower Siang district, has urged TMPK to lift the economic blockade.
"While we acknowledge with concern the unfortunate incident at Hime Village, we believe that the matter may be viewed as a local inter-village dispute concerning land and should not be construed as a communal issue or as an inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. With the intervention of the district administrations, normalcy is gradually returning. At this juncture, it is our collective responsibility to take forward the process through dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful reconciliation," the GWS said in an appeal letter to TMPK. The GWS further urged TMPK to pursue the matter through dialogue, a joint inquiry and appropriate administrative measures, while avoiding any hardship to the people.
While vehicular movement into and out of Arunachal Pradesh was severely affected on Wednesday as protesters in Assam enforced an economic blockade against the neighbouring state at all the entry points to the state, a 12-hour Dhemaji district bandh was enforced in protest against the recent firing incident.
In the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), protesters blocked roads at the Gumto, Banderdewa and Hollongi check gates on the Assam side. Vehicular movement was not allowed, barring ambulances. Though no untoward incident was reported, the situation remained tense throughout the day.
In Banderdewa, the protest was called off at around 6 pm. People stranded on both sides were allowed to move after vehicular movement resumed.
"As per the protesters, they will wait tonight for a positive response from both the Arunachal Pradesh and Assam governments regarding their grievances. If their demands are not addressed, they have stated that they will return to the Banderdewa Check Gate at around 5 am on Thursday and resume the dharna protest along with an economic blockade," informed Naharlagun SP Dr. Nyelam Nega.
At the Gumto check gate, stranded people appealed to the government to intervene. "Ordinary citizens are facing trouble due to this blockade. I appeal to both the Assam and Arunachal governments to find a solution in the best interest of everyone," said a stranded passenger.
One of the protesters, Dilip Pegu, joint secretary of the Mising Mimag Kébang (MMK), said that they were ready to withdraw the blockade if the Arunachal Pradesh government assured action against the individual involved in the firing incident and provided compensation to the victim.
"We want to hear from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. If he assures positive action, we will withdraw the blockade. We also don't want to trouble anyone but only seek justice," said Pegu.
At Shantipur Gate in Lower Dibang Valley, all vehicular movement was stopped, including two-wheelers and bicycles. Pedestrians, however, were allowed to cross.
In Assam, vehicular movement towards Arunachal Pradesh was completely halted at Hatti Gate and Dharikati under Chariduar Police Station in Sonitpur district as protesters enforced the economic blockade.
In West Kameng, Officer-in-Charge of Bhalukpong Police Station, Inspector Tsering Dorjee, said no vehicles were being allowed to proceed towards Assam.
Protesters in Assam said Arunachali vehicles, particularly private vehicles, were not being allowed to pass. School buses operating between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and military vehicles were, however, being permitted.
Meanwhile, members of various Mising organisations have been blocking roads connecting East Siang and Lower Siang districts with Dhemaji since 5 am. The blockade has obstructed Arunachal-bound vehicles, including goods-laden trucks, goods carriers and oil tankers.
The organisations said the blockade would continue until the Arunachal Pradesh police arrested those allegedly involved in the firing incident and initiated legal action against them.
Separately, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), Dhemaji district committee, along with eight other local organisations, enforced a 12-hour Dhemaji district bandh on Wednesday in protest against the firing incident.
The protesters said they were seeking justice over what they described as indiscriminate firing. They also clarified that their agitation was not directed against the people of Arunachal Pradesh but against those allegedly responsible for the firing.
Road blockades were reported at Ruksin Entry Gate, Kemi-Oiramghat, Leku, Jonai and other parts of Dhemaji district. The protesters said they were yet to receive any assurance of concrete action from the Arunachal Pradesh government. (With input from Prem Chetry, Karyir Riba & Prafulla Kaman)