New Delhi: Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments have signed an agreement for the settlement of an inter-state boundary dispute in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, news agency ANI reported.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu.
"The signing of an agreement for the settlement of an inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is a very big achievement. Today, we have crossed the milestone for the establishment of a developed, peaceful and conflict-free northeast," Union Minister Amit Shah said.
Terming the border pact "historic", Amit Shah said the agreement would help end the decade-long disputes between the two states.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the border pact is a "big and successful" moment, while Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu termed it "historic".
Earlier this week, Assam minister Atul Bora had said the state had finalised the draft MoU and would forward it to the neighbouring state for approval. Members of 12 regional committees of Assam, local MLAs, MPs and district administration officials were present at the meeting to finalise the draft MoU.
It is to be noted that the grievance of Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a union territory in 1972, is that several forested tracts in the plains, that had traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite panel was appointed that recommended certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh, to which the former contested.