Controversy Escalates: Assam Officials Infiltrate Arunachal Territory without Warning in Name of ‘Geotagging’ Efforts
Assam Forest Officials Enter Arunachal Territory for Geotagging without Prior Intimation
A surprising development has emerged in the long-standing boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. On Wednesday, a team of 10 forest officials from the Lekhapani range of Assam entered the Namtok circle in Changlang district, reportedly for geotagging purposes. However, they failed to inform their Arunachal counterparts, sparking concerns and outrage among locals.
Uninvited Guests
According to reports, the Assam forest officials arrived at the Jopakan and Hachengkan villages around 4 pm, unaware of the implications of their unannounced visit. A viral video, shot by locals, shows the Assam officials, armed with weapons, objecting to being filmed. The video has sent shockwaves through the region, raising questions about the intentions behind this surprise visit.
Prior Notification: A Key Issue
What’s more disturbing is that the Assam forest officials did not provide prior notification to their Arunachal counterparts about their visit. "No prior information was given to officials of Namtok circle by the Assam forest officials. Fortunately, there were no untoward incidents, and they returned later," an official from the Changlang district has said.
Namsai Declaration: A Peace Accord
This incident comes just two days before a scheduled meeting between the deputy commissioners of Changlang and Tinsukia, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute. In 2022, the chief ministers of Assam and Arunachal, Pema Khandu and Himanta Biswa Sarma, signed the Namsai Declaration, committing to resolve the decades-old boundary issues. The declaration led to the formation of 12 regional committees, comprising 12 districts from both states, to verify and provide recommendations to their respective governments.
A Complex Matter
The border between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is approximately 804.1 kilometers long, making it a complex and sensitive issue. The recent development has raised concerns about the trust and cooperation required to resolve this long-standing dispute. As the region moves towards a more peaceful coexistence, incidents like these can hinder progress and compromise relations between the two states.
Key Points:
- A team of 10 Assam forest officials entered Namtok circle in Changlang district without prior intimation to Arunachal Pradesh authorities.
- The Assam officials were reportedly conducting geotagging for border demarcation.
- The incident has sparked concerns and outrage among locals.
- The Assam forest officials rejected requests to be filmed, as seen in a viral video.
- The incident comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between deputy commissioners to resolve the border dispute.
- The Namsai Declaration aims to resolve the decades-old boundary issue between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The sudden and unannounced visit by Assam forest officials has raised concerns about transparency, trust, and the ability of the two states to work together towards a peaceful resolution. As the region moves forward, it is crucial that both sides engage in open communication and cooperation to address historical disputes and forge a brighter future.
Original Source: https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/02/28/assam-forest-officials-enter-arunachal-territory-for-geotagging-without-prior-intimation/
Category : Bengia Ajum,State News
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Publish Date: 2025-02-28 00:32:00
