Assam-Arunachal Tensions: CM Sarma Urges Peace, Says Boundaries Can't Divide Hearts
In the wake of a fresh clash along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to residents of both states to maintain peace and harmony. In a post on X, he said, "Boundaries may define our States, but they can never divide our hearts." The appeal comes a day after an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh entered its second day, and following an incident where police from the neighbouring state fired into the air to disperse a mob in Dhemaji district.
Mr. Sarma's remarks were shared on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with a direct tag to his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart, Pema Khandu, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He emphasised that the two northeastern states share a bond that goes far beyond administrative boundaries and stressed that most border differences have already been resolved through dialogue and friendship in recent years. "Only 52 villages remain, and both governments will continue discussions in the same spirit to resolve the dispute completely," he added.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu responded positively, welcoming Mr. Sarma's statement as "positive and reassuring." In his own appeal, Mr. Khandu urged people on both sides to maintain peace, harmony, and mutual respect, amid the tension sparked by the firing incident along the inter-state border.
The border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh dates back to the latter's formation as a separate state. Arunachal Pradesh, initially a centrally-administered region and later a Union Territory, attained full statehood in 1987. Following statehood, a tripartite committee was constituted, which recommended transferring certain territories from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. Assam contested this, and the matter has since been pending in the Supreme Court.
The two states share a border of 804.1 km, spanning eight districts of Assam and 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. There are 1,200 points of dispute along this border. According to the Assam government, which reported to the State Assembly on July 29, Arunachal Pradesh has encroached upon 16,144.01 hectares of land, a portion of which it claims as its own—amounting to 858.91 square kilometres.
To resolve these issues, the two states have constituted 12 regional committees, which have jointly toured the disputed areas and held consultations with stakeholders. A significant step was taken on July 15, 2022, with the signing of the Namsai Declaration by the chief ministers, initiating measures to resolve differences over 123 villages of Assam claimed by Arunachal Pradesh. This was followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 20, 2023, signed in the presence of the Union Home Minister in New Delhi.
According to the latest updates, differences over 71 of the 123 villages have been resolved, leaving 52 villages where discussions continue. Both governments have expressed commitment to resolving the remaining issues through peaceful and constitutional means, with the broader goal of fostering lasting harmony between the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
