Arunachal Pradesh grapples with inter-district boundary dispute too

Apart from around 800 kms boundary row with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh is struggling to resolve a dispute between East Siang and Lower Siang area, which was created in 2013 along with three other districts – Kra-Daadi, Namsai and Siang.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute

• The dispute dates back to the British era when in 1873 British announced inner line regulation.
• British demarcated planes and frontier Hills, which were later designated as North-East frontier tracts in 1915. These Northeast frontier tracts make up today’s Arunachal Pradesh.
• The administrative jurisdiction was passed over to Assam, with frontier tracts renamed as Northeast Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1954.
• Later in 1972, Arunachal Pradesh was declared as a union territory, and it gained statehood in 1987.
• However, in 1951, a subcommittee headed by Assam Chief Minister made some recommendations about the administration of NEFA.
• Based on the committee report, 3648 sq. km of the plain area was transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam’s then Darrang and Lakhimpur districts. Arunachal Pradesh refuses to accept this notification, and this has become a bone of contention.
• Assam feels that the demarcation as per 1951 notification is constitutional and legal.
• But, Arunachal Pradesh holds that the transfer was done without consultation of its people. It was arbitrary, defective and no tribal leader from Arunachal Pradesh was consulted.
• Also, AP had customary rights over these lands and the tribes paid taxes to Ahom rulers.