After decades of dispute over their shared border, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at resolving the longstanding disagreement. The MoU pertains to 123 border villages spanning 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh and 8 districts of Assam, and covers an approximately 800-kilometre long border between the two states.
Background on the Dispute
The dispute between the two states dates back to the 1950s when the North East Frontier Agency (now Arunachal Pradesh) was carved out of Assam. In 1951, a sub-committee headed by then-Assam Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi submitted a report recommending the transfer of approximately 3,648 kilometres of the plain area of Balipara and Sadiya foothills from NEFA to Assam. Arunachal Pradesh, when it became a Union Territory in 1972, claimed that several forested tracts in the plains that had traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam. This sparked a long-standing dispute over the border between the two states.
Efforts to Resolve the Dispute
Various efforts have been made in the past to resolve the border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In 1979, a high-powered tripartite committee was established to delineate the boundary on the basis of Survey of India maps and discussions with both sides.
Although around 489 kilometres of the 800-kilometre border were demarcated by 1983-84, further demarcation could not take place because Arunachal Pradesh did not accept the recommendations and claimed several kilometres of the 3,648 sq km transferred to Assam in line with the 1951 report. This led to Assam filing a case in the Supreme Court in 1989, highlighting what it claimed to be an encroachment by Arunachal Pradesh.
The Supreme Court appointed a local boundary commission in 2006, headed by a retired SC judge, to resolve the dispute between the states. Several recommendations were made, some of which suggested that Arunachal Pradesh should get back some of the territory that was transferred to Assam in 1951. However, no progress was made on this front.
The Signing of the MoU
In light of the long-standing dispute between the two states, the MoU signed by the Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is a welcome development. The MoU covers 123 border villages that span 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh and 8 districts of Assam. It is aimed at resolving the dispute over the approximately 800-kilometre long border between the two states, and is expected to lead to greater cooperation and harmony between the two sides.
Why In News
After decades of a long-standing border dispute between the two northeastern Indian states, Assam Chief Minister and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to finally bring the matter to a close. The MoU will focus on resolving issues surrounding 123 border villages spanning over 20 districts, and is expected to bring relief to thousands of people living in the disputed areas who have suffered from sporadic outbreaks of violence and economic losses over the years.
MCQs about MoU
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What was the purpose of the MoU signed between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh?
A. To end the long-standing border dispute between the two states.
B. To transfer land from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh.
C. To create a new administrative region between the two states.
D. To resolve a water-sharing conflict between the two states.
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What was the reason behind the border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh?
A. Transfer of forested tracts to Assam by NEFA.
B. Demarcation of the boundary by Survey of India maps.
C. Creation of Arunachal Pradesh as a Union Territory.
D. A water-sharing conflict between the two states.
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What was the name of the sub-committee that made recommendations on the administration of NEFA?
A. Gopinath Bordoloi committee
B. Boundary commission
C. Tripartite committee
D. Survey of India committee
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