“Economic blockade” in Assam affects life along border with Arunachal Pradesh

Published 12 August 2026 · india

Guwahati An “economic blockade” in parts of northeastern Assam in protest against the August 10 firing allegedly by Arunachal Pradesh-based miscreants affected normal life along

Guwahati An “economic blockade” in parts of northeastern Assam in protest against the August 10 firing allegedly by Arunachal Pradesh-based miscreants affected normal life along a large stretch of the disputed boundary between the two States on Wednesday (August 12, 2026). The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), an organisation of the Mising community in Assam, called the 12-hour shutdown in Dhemaji district in retaliation for the firing on 11 Assam villagers in the Mingmang Bodoti area along the boundary. The firing followed a dispute over land claimed by Assam and alleged occupation by people of Arunachal Pradesh. The 11 injured villagers are undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh.

“The incident was painful because we have settled our boundary disputes in almost all sectors, barring five. During yesterday’s (Tuesday) Cabinet meeting, we reconstituted our regional committee to resolve the remaining issues with Arunachal Pradesh,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told journalists in Guwahati. “I requested the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (Pema Khandu) to order an inquiry, find the culprits, and punish them. The shutdown was called by our Mising brothers and sisters against the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh, who have the same lineage, and they should discuss their issues,” he said. Sarma said Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu, who is from Dhemaji district, had also discussed the dispute and escalating border tension with Mr. Khandu.

Pegu said Mr. Khandu called him and assured him of a proper and impartial investigation into the firing, as well as action against those found guilty. “We also discussed the resumption of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border discussions through the joint regional committees,” he said. Earlier, TMPK members and villagers blocked most roads leading to Arunachal Pradesh, concentrating on areas around the Bhalukpong (access to Tawang), Banderdewa, Gumto, and Hollongi (access to Itanagar) gates. The blockade affected the movement of vehicles and people. Reports from Arunachal Pradesh said some protestors attacked Tago Maga, the Itanagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer, and his team at Gogamukh (Assam), when they were on their way to attend a court hearing.

People in Arunachal Pradesh were advised to avoid travelling to Assam. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km border, with around 1,200 points of dispute between the two States. The Chief Ministers of the two States signed the Namsai Declaration on July 15, 2022, aimed at resolving their long-standing boundary dispute. The agreement initially covered disputes involving 123 villages along the inter-State boundary, which were later reduced to 86 villages following negotiations and joint verification.