Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between Changlang district and Assam. Speaking in the State Assembly, Khandu assured that his government would engage with Assam to address the issue, which was notably excluded from the 2022 Namsai Declaration.
The Namsai Declaration, signed by the Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, aimed to reduce the number of disputed villages along the inter-state border from 123 to 86. However, Changlang district was left out of the agreement due to the Regional Committee’s failure to submit its report to the Supreme Court-appointed Local Commission. This omission has prolonged the dispute, which dates back to Arunachal’s transition to a Union Territory in 1972.
Independent MLA Laisam Simai raised concerns in the Assembly about the lack of progress, citing Assam’s opposition to Changlang’s inclusion in the resolution process. Assam has maintained that the 2014 Local Commission report did not identify any disputed villages in Changlang, further complicating negotiations.
Khandu emphasized the importance of addressing the issue separately, given Changlang’s strategic significance as Arunachal’s second-largest district, sharing a long border with Assam. He assured the House that discussions with Assam’s government would be prioritized to find an amicable solution.
The boundary dispute has historically strained relations between the two states, with sporadic tensions and administrative challenges. While disputes in other districts, such as West Kameng, East Siang, and Namsai, have been resolved, the Changlang issue remains unresolved.
As both states work toward a resolution, the focus remains on fostering cooperation and ensuring peace along the border. The resolution of the Changlang-Assam boundary dispute is expected to strengthen inter-state relations and address the concerns of affected communities.
