Guwahati, Aug 10 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the situation arising from a clash between residents of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in Dhemaji district was “almost resolved”, as authorities of the two states stepped up efforts to prevent further escalation along the inter‑state border.

Sarma said the Assam government has deputed a minister, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to hold discussions with their counterparts in Arunachal Pradesh and work towards restoring peace in the affected area.

The latest tension erupted after a firing incident at Mingmang Basti along the Assam‑Arunachal Pradesh border, in which at least 18 people were injured. Four of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

According to preliminary reports, the confrontation was linked to a dispute over alleged land encroachment in the border area. Unidentified persons from the Arunachal Pradesh side allegedly opened fire during the confrontation, resulting in injuries to several people.

The injured were initially taken to nearby hospitals, while four critically injured persons were later shifted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh for specialised treatment.

The incident came against the backdrop of another reported shooting involving a Mising youth near Kangku Circle in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang district, which shares a boundary with Dhemaji. The youth had reportedly gone missing and was subsequently found with an injury to his leg. The identity of the person allegedly responsible for the shooting and the circumstances remain unclear.

Following the incidents, tensions reportedly escalated between residents of Dhemaji and Lower Siang, with concerns emerging over a possible flare‑up along the sensitive inter‑state border. Reports also indicated heightened tensions between members of the Mising and Galo communities.

The Assam government has since intensified coordination with Arunachal Pradesh authorities to contain the situation and restore normalcy. The two northeastern states have previously faced disputes over their boundary, making prompt administrative and community‑level intervention crucial to prevent local incidents from escalating into wider tensions.

–IANS

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