12 Injured in Firing Along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Border Over Land Dispute

At least 12 people were injured in alleged firing along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district on Monday following a dispute over alleged land encroachment, police said.

The incident occurred in the morning at Mingmang Basti, along the inter-state boundary in the Gogamukh revenue circle under Gerukamukh police station. According to officials, a dispute between Assam residents and people from the Arunachal Pradesh side escalated during a meeting called to resolve the land issue.

A senior official alleged that miscreants from across the border opened indiscriminate fire at Assam villagers while the meeting was underway. The injured were identified as Durgheswar Patir, Rohit Dole, Nagaraj Dole, Biggeshwar Patir, Pame Pegu, Sanjay Tayung, Utpal Dole and Jan Dole. The identities of four others were yet to be established. All 12 injured were initially admitted to Gogamukh Rural Hospital. Seven were later referred to Dhemaji Civil Hospital, while four critically injured people were shifted to Assam Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the incident was localised and that the situation had been brought under control. He said Education Minister Ranoj Pegu had been deputed to hold talks with the Arunachal Pradesh government. The chief secretary and Director General of Police of Assam are also in contact with their counterparts in the neighbouring state.

Officials said a Forest Department team had visited the area a few days earlier after receiving information about alleged encroachment. A subsequent argument and scuffle reportedly prompted the administration to intervene. A village-level meeting was later convened to settle the matter, but tensions escalated during the gathering.

The incident comes amid a long-standing boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The states share an 804.1-km border, with around 1,200 points of dispute. Assam had recently told its Assembly that Arunachal Pradesh had allegedly encroached upon 16,144.01 hectares of land. Both states have formed regional committees to resolve the differences. Under agreements reached in 2022 and 2023, disputes involving 123 villages are being addressed, with differences in 71 villages reportedly resolved so far.