Assam gives Rs 2 lakh each to 11 injured in Dhemaji border firing

The Assam government will provide Rs 2 lakh each to 11 people injured in a firing incident along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district on August 10. The incident occurred at Bodoti village during a land encroachment dispute, when villagers from Assam were allegedly attacked by armed miscreants from the Arunachal side. The injured include Utpal Doley, Bhaijan Doley, Pame Pegu, Bitupan Doley, Bigeswar Patir, Bishnu Pegu, Lakhi Prasad Lagachu, Rakesh Doley, Sanjay Tayung, Rohit Doley and Rakesh Lagachu.

State Education Minister Ranoj Pegu visited the injured at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh, where eight are being treated. Doctors said all are out of danger and likely to be discharged soon. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke to his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu, who assured an impartial inquiry. The Assam government also decided to set up a security camp at Mingmang-Bodoti to prevent further encroachment and violence, MP Pradhan Baruah said.

Jonai MLA Bhubon Pegu said the underlying border dispute stems from unresolved issues from the separation of the two states by the then Congress government. He noted that the Namsai Declaration of 2022 has resolved about 60% of the disputes, but around 40% remain. The government is pressing for the arrest of the miscreants, Baruah added.