[ Bengia Ajum ]

ITANAGAR, 13 Aug: The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) has suspended its road and economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh, following a series of discussions with the Government of Assam and representatives of Arunachal.

Announcing this on Thursday, the TMPK said four persons allegedly involved in the 10 August firing incident at Hime village should be arrested within the next 48 hours. If no arrests are made, the TMPK said it will resume the economic blockade against Arunachal.

TMPK president Tilak Doley also told the media that the organisation does not want to harass the entire state of Arunachal for the mistakes of a few individuals.

"Our movement is not directed against the common people of Arunachal Pradesh, and is not directed against any particular community or ethnic group. Our struggle is against violence, intimidation, injustice and the failure to ensure the safety and security of people living along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. We respect the ordinary people of Arunachal Pradesh and do not wish them to suffer because of a dispute or incident for which they bear no responsibility," said Doley.

He said the TMPK would also hold discussions with various tribal bodies of Arunachal. Doley further said that no organisation should try to derive political mileage from the incident.

A meeting was held on Thursday at the office of the Dhemaji deputy commissioner, which was attended by TMPK leaders, representatives of the Assam government, including Border Protection Minister Atul Bora and Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu.

Earlier, another meeting was held at the conference hall of the Lower Siang deputy commissioner in Likabali. It was attended by members of the GSU, AdiSU, ABKYW, TMPK, GYO and ALSDSU. The meeting was convened to deliberate on the prevailing situation and explore immediate measures to restore normalcy and facilitate the lifting of the economic blockade.

"The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings should be conducted in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner. There can be no compromise when it comes to the safety, dignity and security of people living in the border areas," the TMPK said.

The organisation also objected to the practice of individuals attending discussions on Assam soil while carrying firearms. The TMPK further called for a permanent solution to the Assam-Arunachal boundary dispute.

"Both the Assam and Arunachal governments have started the process to resolve the boundary dispute. We expect this process to be pursued seriously and on a time-bound basis to ensure lasting peace and security in the border areas," Doley added.

Meanwhile, the people of Hime village in Lower Siang district are living in fear following the recent violence in the village. On 10 August, violence erupted after a large mob from Assam allegedly entered the village over a land dispute. In the ensuing violence, people from both sides were injured, including 12 persons from Assam who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries.

The TMPK subsequently imposed an economic blockade across Arunachal as a protest, which has now been suspended.

Meanwhile, the people of Hime alleged that they have become victims of violence, followed by a misinformation campaign on social media and Assam-based news channels.

"Fake reports are being peddled, trying to portray us as aggressors, whereas the fact is that we are the victims. Our homes were attacked and we are victims of the aggression. It has been four days, and we are struggling for survival because of the blockade," said a woman from the village.

The villagers alleged that Assam-based media outlets were running what they described as false reports against the village.

"Assam media, without coming to the ground, are running a false campaign against us. In the Namsai Declaration, Hime has clearly been identified as part of Arunachal. So, how can people claim this as a boundary clash? This was an attack on us," the villager added.

They further said they feel betrayed by the Arunachal government.

"Under pressure from the TMPK and the Assam government, our government is trying to arrest our villagers, alleging that they used guns. Firing was done from both sides. Why is no case being registered against individuals from the Assam side who attacked our village?" the villager questioned.

The locals also alleged that shops were attacked and looted during the 10 August violence.

"Besides kidnapping GB Mikkok Ngomle, they severely beat up some youths of the village who resisted the violence. Shops were also damaged, and cash was looted. Why is no one talking about it?" the villager added.