Assam-Arunachal Border Unrest: Labour Camp, Culvert Burnt-out, about 6 Shots fired, no casualties reported

KANGKU: Sustained violence has been reported along Assam-Arunachal border, precisely in the area between Hime and Masi village under Kangku Circle, Lower Siang district.

One Sanjay Lagachung from Dhemaji, Assam has been identified in connection, SP Lower Siang told The Space.

“Several FIRs were previously lodged against the said person in preceding chain of incidents,” the SP added.

The alleged and his gang reportedly stormed in the labour camp at the culvert construction site near Hime and Masi Village where about 40-50 labourers were sheltered. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Getting wind of the situation, several villagers rushed to the spot and fired about 6 shots to drive away Sanjay and his gang.

Further investigation is underway till the filing of this report.

Yesterday, Officials from Assam were reported obstructing the PMGSY road Construction at Hime Village. The officials reportedly forewarned of detrimental consequences if the construction is not deterred.

Good road connectivity and outreach has been a long-felt demand of the general public inhabiting the bordering Hime village of A.P. Furthermore, It has been reported, that, in the preceding AP by-elections, the villagers firmly held by the slogan “No Road, No vote.”

Since then the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)— a nationwide plan in India to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages was sanctioned by the state government ensuing cordial formalities and the said tasking is reportedly under progress, but much to the dismay of the public, officials and villagers from the other side of the border have been resorting to atrocities, violence and vandalism which may be of a grave concern and threat to the common lives residing in the A.P side of the border.

A Hime village local via telephonic interview told The Space of instances in the past where construction machineries and JCBs were set ablaze and vandalised.

The day before, CM Pema Khandu met with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and other senior officials to discuss the border issues.

"Met Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma ji along with senior officers of Assam Government. Had detailed discussions on the boundary issue between the two states. We will sincerely work towards a permanent solution on this long pending issue,” CM Khandu wrote on his Facebook account.

Meantime, with conspiracies circulating about another attack, the villagers in the bordering area stay alarmed and tensed.