Road blockade hits supply of essentials items

Itanagar, July 14: The situation along the inter-state boundary in Sadiya sub-division of Tinsukia district returned to normal, though the blockade on NH-37 by the civil society there hit the supply of essential commodities to Lower Dibang Valley and Dibang Valley districts in the state.

The road blockade, in protest against the failure to arrest those responsible for the attack on people during the July 9 bandh, entered its fifth day today, creating acute shortage of various essentials in both districts. Essential item-laden trucks had been stranded at Sadiya, according to sources here.

However, many passengers were stranded at Tinsukia and other places as long distance as well as intra-district Arunachal Pradesh State Transport and private bus services had been suspended.

While a high level official from Tinsukia had rushed to Sadiya to take stock of the situation, an emergency meeting of senior officials of both sides was called at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lower Dibang Valley P Hosai's chamber at Roing yesterday to find an amicable solution and to maintain the age-old neighbourly relations between Arunachal Pradesh and Asom.

The meeting decided to constitute inter-state peace committee, police committee and high level monitoring committee to regularly check the sporadic incidents at the border.

Meanwhile, Asom officials handed over the revolver, snatched away from the DC's PSO on July 10 last, and ensured all out efforts to pacify the agitators to lift the blockade, sources said.

Pointing out that the border scuffle was the bone of contention, Mr Hosai assured that legal proceedings were initiated to arrest the culprit soon.

A strict vigil was being maintained and regular patrolling by police personnel and magistrates at the checkpost was on to avoid any untoward incident, he informed.

However, condemning the incident, MLAs Laeta Umbrey and Roding Pertin urged the law enforcing agencies to bring the culprits to book soon to provide justice and end the impasse.

''Despite having the longest border with Asom, we have been maintaining cordial relation since time immemorial,'' they said, adding that both sides should take stringent action against those, who disturb the harmonious relations, sources added.

UNI