Assam Students’ Body Announces Road, Economic Blockade Against Arunachal Pradesh
Assam-based students’ organisation Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) has announced a road and economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh following Monday’s violent incident along the Assam-Arunachal border, in which at least 12 people from Assam were reportedly injured.
The incident took place at Badati-Mingmang, near the inter-State boundary. According to the TMPK, the Assam residents sustained injuries in alleged firing from the Arunachal Pradesh side.
Strongly condemning the incident, the students’ organisation demanded the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the violence, particularly those allegedly involved in the firing.
The TMPK also said that if any personnel of the Arunachal Pradesh Police are found to have been involved, they should face appropriate legal and departmental action.
The organisation announced that its road and economic blockade would continue until its demands are addressed.
Clarifying that the proposed agitation was not directed against ordinary people, the TMPK said it was a “democratic and peaceful movement” seeking justice, security and accountability and was not aimed at any particular community or the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) appealed to people on both sides of the Assam-Arunachal border to exercise restraint and maintain peace and communal harmony following the firing incident.
The forum urged residents not to circulate unverified information or take the law into their own hands.
Reacting to the blockade announced by the TMPK, the AITF termed it “uncalled for” and said ordinary people would ultimately bear the consequences. It particularly expressed concern about patients requiring medical treatment and people involved in time-bound official or private work.
The AITF welcomed the coordination between the Directors General of Police of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and called for dialogue and restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further.
