Assam-Arunachal border: Economic blockade disrupts Dhemaji after alleged firing

An economic blockade called by a Mising community organisation in parts of northeastern Assam disrupted normal life along a large stretch of the disputed boundary with Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, in protest against an incident of firing that left 11 villagers injured.

The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), an organisation representing the Mising community in Assam, announced a 12-hour shutdown in Dhemaji district on August 12, 2026. The action was in retaliation for the August 10 firing in the Mingmang Bodoti area, which, according to Assam villagers, was carried out by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh. The firing followed a dispute over land claimed by Assam and allegedly occupied by people from Arunachal Pradesh.

The 11 injured villagers are undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking to journalists in Guwahati, described the incident as painful, noting that boundary disputes with Arunachal Pradesh had been resolved in almost all sectors except five. He said the state Cabinet, during its meeting on Tuesday, had reconstituted a regional committee to address the remaining issues. "I requested the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (Pema Khandu) to order an inquiry, find the culprits, and punish them," Mr. Sarma said. He also mentioned that the shutdown was called by Mising brothers and sisters against the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh, who share a common lineage, and added that they should resolve their issues through dialogue.

Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu, who represents Dhemaji district, said Mr. Khandu called him and assured a proper and impartial investigation into the firing and action against those found guilty. "We also discussed the resumption of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border discussions through the joint regional committees," Mr. Pegu said.

According to reports, TMPK members and villagers blocked most roads leading to Arunachal Pradesh, with a concentration around the Bhalukpong, Banderdewa, Gumto, and Hollongi gates. These are key access points to Tawang and Itanagar. The blockade affected the movement of vehicles and people.

There were also reports from Arunachal Pradesh that some protesters attacked Tago Maga, the Itanagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer, and his team at Gogamukh in Assam while they were on their way to attend a court hearing. In response, people in Arunachal Pradesh were advised to avoid travelling to Assam.

The boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is long-standing. The two states share an 804.1-kilometre border, with around 1,200 points of contention. In an effort to resolve these differences, the Chief Ministers of the two states signed the Namsai Declaration on July 15, 2022. The agreement initially covered disputes involving 123 villages, which were later reduced to 86 villages following negotiations and joint verification.

The blockade has highlighted the continuing sensitivity of the border issue, even as both state governments have expressed a commitment to resolving it through dialogue. The assurance of an impartial investigation by the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister is seen as a step towards de-escalating tensions.