New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI): The governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday signed an agreement to resolve the decades-old boundary issues between both the states.
The MoU was signed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu, in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and other dignitaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the North Block here.
The latest development comes following a meeting between both the chief ministers of the northeastern states on boundary issues in Guwahati recently.
Speaking on the occasion, Shah congratulated both the CMs and termed the agreement as historic. He said it was a red letter day for both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as the long pending boundary issues were resolved amicably.
The Home Minister said the boundary settlement would usher in all-round development and peace in the northeastern region.
Shah informed that 123 disputed villages on both sides of the inter-state border along the 800-km long stretch has been resolved once and for all under the agreement, and at a time when the country is celebrating 75th year of Independence. “This is a huge achievement,” Shah added.
The Assam CM termed the signing of the MoU as historic and that would bring peace and prosperity in the region.
“Today is a ‘historic’ day. I express my gratitude to the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” Sarma said.
He also expressed hope that boundary issues between Mizoram and Nagaland will also be resolved soon.
Khandu, in his address termed the settlement of boundary between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as momentous and historic and exuded optimism that it would bring about a sea change on the peace and development front.
Assam shares a boundary of more than 800 kms with Arunachal Pradesh.
Last year, Assam and Meghalaya had signed an MoU in the month of March to resolve boundary disputes between both the states. They had agreed to resolve six out of the 12 areas spread across around 39 sq km.
