3 Arunachalees hurt in cross firing over inter-state border dispute

Itanagar, July 27 (UNI) The Asom-Arunachal boundary dispute got murkier yesterday, as three Arunachalees were injured in firing by Assam Forest Protection Force(AFPF), local legislator Nido Pavitra claimed today.

One of the injured had been admitted to R K Mission Hospital here. He is reportedly in critical condition.

A group of villagers of Dollungmukh area of Lower Subansiri district reportedly went to Raj Ali, their traditional boundary, to oppose the ongoing permanent construction of forest beat office for Dullung Reserve Forest by Asom forest department(AFD), when AFPF personnel resorted to firing, prompting the villagers to fire in the air, claimed the local legislator.

Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin, on being apprised of the incident, immediately took it up with the Asom DGP, Mr Pavitra said adding that he had also briefed Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu regarding the issue.

According to official documents available with UNI, the Asom Forest Department(AFD) had started illegal construction of the forest beat office and permanent structures opposite Ananda Tea Estate in Arunachal side bordering North Lakhimpur district in May last.

Repeated protests by the people, including Dollungmukh Area Students' Union, All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union and Lower Subansiri deputy commissioner, over the construction being in total violation of status quo directed by the Supreme Court went unheard.

The Asom Police had reportedly assaulted a person on June 19 when he was taking photographs of the illegal structures, which forced the senior officers to inspect the spot for taking pictures.

The Arunachalees having traditional rights over land and forest have been living there and maintaining cordial relation with people of Asom living along the border.

''The illegal action by the Asom Forest Department(AFD) resulted in the unfortunate incident,'' he rued.

While condemning the 'inaction' of the state government, the All Lower Subansiri Students' Union today pleaded for an amicable solution to the inter-state boundary dispute, particularly in Dollungmukh area, to protect the innocent people being victimised by the dispute.

UNI