Guwahati, July 8: Assam’s decades-old interstate boundary disputes returned to the spotlight in the Assembly on Wednesday, with the government revealing that more than 1.61 lakh hectares of the state’s land are under encroachment by four neighbouring states, while assuring the House that efforts are underway to achieve a permanent settlement within the next five years.
The issue dominated Question Hour on the third day of the Budget Session of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly after Ropahihat Congress MLA Nurul Hoda sought details on the status of the border disputes with Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and the government’s roadmap for resolving them.
Replying in the House, Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora said official records show that 16,144.0117 hectares of Assam land is under encroachment by Arunachal Pradesh, 59,490.21 hectares by Nagaland, 3,441.8601 hectares by Meghalaya and 82,751.8618 hectares by Mizoram.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Bora described the disputes as a legacy issue dating back to the reorganisation of the northeastern states.
“The interstate boundary problem is not of today; it is a long-standing issue. When new states were created, the boundaries were not fully demarcated, leading to disputes along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh, Assam-Nagaland, Assam-Mizoram and Assam-Meghalaya borders. Through discussions with the neighbouring states, we are trying to resolve these issues permanently. Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have come forward, while talks with Nagaland are continuing, although there is also a pending case before the Supreme Court. We hope these issues can be resolved within the next five years,” Bora said.
The discussion also triggered sharp criticism from the Opposition over the situation in the border areas.
Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed alleged that residents living along the Assam-Nagaland border continue to face harassment due to recurring incursions and said repeated rounds of talks have failed to deliver lasting peace.
He urged both the Assam and Central governments to intensify dialogue with neighbouring states and arrive at a permanent settlement to safeguard the interests of people living in the border villages.
Ropahihat MLA Nurul Hoda expressed dissatisfaction with the minister’s response, alleging that villagers in disputed areas continue to face intimidation from armed groups and have even received notices demanding money from households. He said the government had failed to adequately address the security concerns of residents and called for stronger intervention to protect people living in vulnerable border regions.
The debate underscored the continuing sensitivity of Assam’s interstate boundary disputes, with members across party lines stressing the need for a durable and peaceful resolution through sustained negotiations and coordinated action with neighbouring states.
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