Guwahati: In a bid to settle the border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the second round of regional committee-level negotiations was held in Guwahati on Monday.
The report that would be delivered to the chief ministers of both states was finalised after the discussions.
Minister of Water Resources Pijush Hazarika represented the Assam government, and Minister of Environment and Forests Mama Natung represented Arunachal Pradesh.
In a statement to the media, Pijush Hazarika stated that the report was based on the committee’s visit to the four disputed villages in September in the Assamese district of Biswanath and the Arunachal Pradesh district of Pakke Kessang.
According to Hazarika, all parties decided that the disagreement must be settled through mutual understanding and a policy of compromise.
While those in Pacho want to be a part of Assam, those in Balicho, Dipik, and Dikalmukh villages have expressed a desire to be a part of Arunachal Pradesh. The report has been updated to reflect this.
The committee agreed that the chief ministers of the two states must report the issue to the Center because all four villages are located in forested areas, he said.
The chief ministers of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, agreed to settle the border dispute between their two states when they signed the Namsai Declaration on July 15.
The two governments had agreed to reduce the number of “disputed villages” from the previous 123 to 86 and to attempt a resolution by September 15.