YUPIA : Home and Interstate Border Affairs Minister Mama Natung on Tuesday asserted that the Arunachal Pradesh government remains committed to resolving all pending boundary disputes with Assam through the regional committees constituted by the two states.
Inaugurating a Rs 3-crore Fire Station at Yupia in Papum Pare district, Natung said Assam has an important role in fostering regional harmony and appealed to people living along the inter-state boundary to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood.
Referring to the recent disturbances in the Tarasso area, the minister said border disputes involving five districts have already been resolved following the Namsai Declaration, while discussions are continuing to settle the remaining disputes, including those concerning Papum Pare district.
He said the regional committees of both states are holding regular meetings to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions to the pending issues.
On July 15, tension flared at Sango village in the Tarasso area after arson and firing incidents involving local residents and personnel from Assam’s Forest Department. According to officials, the forest personnel attempted to stop the alleged construction of unauthorised houses in an area claimed by Assam as part of the Behali Reserve Forest.
During the operation, nearly 50 rounds were reportedly fired, though no injuries were reported. The land remains disputed, with Assam claiming it falls within the reserve forest while local residents maintain that their families have lived there for decades.
Besides inaugurating the Fire Station, Natung also flagged off a fleet of nine newly inducted Fire and Emergency Services vehicles, comprising three Fire Safety Education Vans, two Water Mist Vehicles, one Rescue Tender and three Fire Tenders, which will be deployed across different districts to strengthen emergency response capabilities.
The Fire Station, constructed by the Urban Development Department as the executing agency, is expected to significantly improve operational preparedness and emergency response in Yupia and adjoining areas.
Addressing the gathering, Natung lauded the Fire and Emergency Services Department for its dedication in safeguarding lives and property and urged citizens to actively participate in fire safety awareness programmes.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen emergency infrastructure, he said 13 new fire stations have been constructed across district headquarters over the past three years. During the same period, 337 new posts were created in the department, taking the total strength of firefighters in the state to 811 personnel.
The minister also highlighted the success of the Arunachal Pradesh Police’s anti-drug campaign, Operation Dawn, stating that the initiative has resulted in major crackdowns on drug traffickers and the dismantling of several trafficking networks over the past four years. He commended the police for their commitment to protecting the state’s youth from the menace of drug abuse.
Responding to a request from Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, Natung said the proposal for establishing a Category ‘C’ Police Station at Sangdupota is under process. He also directed Arunachal Pradesh Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal to strengthen police deployment and increase manpower in sensitive border areas such as Tarasso and Kakoi to ensure regular patrolling and maintain law and order.
Speaking on the occasion, Vivek welcomed the inauguration of the long-awaited Fire Station and thanked the state government for establishing the facility. He sought adequate police deployment at Kakoi and Tarasso, renovation and upgradation of the Doimukh Police Station, and construction of residential quarters for personnel posted at the new Fire Station.
Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal stressed the importance of fire prevention and public awareness, urging citizens, builders and institutions to incorporate fire safety measures at the planning stage of construction to minimise fire-related accidents and loss of life and property.
The programme concluded with a live fire rescue and safety demonstration by personnel of the Naharlagun Fire Station, showcasing modern firefighting techniques, rescue operations and emergency response procedures while spreading awareness on fire prevention and safety. (Source: DIPR/PTI)