Dhemaji firing: protesters demand Rs 5 lakh aid, removal of Arunachal camp

A week after suspected miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh allegedly opened fire on Assam residents at Mingmang-Bodoti in Dhemaji, Oikomoncho Dhemaji staged a two-hour sit-in on Wednesday demanding action. The protesters submitted a six-point charter of demands, including the immediate arrest of those responsible, removal of an Arunachal security camp allegedly on Assam territory, and an increase in compensation from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for the 11 injured.

The protesters also demanded a ban on land sale within 10 km of the disputed area and seizure of firearms from border residents. No arrests have been made so far. A Congress delegation visited the affected area on Tuesday but was prevented from entering the main conflict zone by police. Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr J.P. Das alleged the Assam government had failed to resolve the border dispute, leaving indigenous communities insecure.