Arunachal says foray by Assam into its territory illegal

Arunachal Pradesh government today termed as illegal the demolition of four houses, four kilometre inside its territory allegedly by Assam forest officials.
"The illegal act by Assam is in total violation of the Supreme Court directives to maintain status quo till a final report by the Local Commission on inter-state boundary dispute constituted by the apex court is submitted," government spokesman, Nabam Rebia, also the local MLA said while evaluating the ground situation here.
It was alleged that Assam police personnel and forest officials arrived in the village yesterday in 30 vehicles and demolished the four houses and cut down trees.

"We don't want any confrontation with our neighbour. But if they treat our silence as our weakness it will be their mistake," Rebia, the state Planning and Development Parliamentary Secretary, said.
He said that Chief Minister Nabam Tuki was apprised about the situation and he immediately contacted his Assam counterpart yesterday who assured to look into the matter.
Rebia, the local MLA said that the Boundary Commission on interstate boundary dispute headed by retired Justice Tarun Chatterjee constituted by the Supreme Court to find an amicable and acceptable solution to the decades-old contentious issue inspected the area on November 12.

It was accorded a warm welcome by the people of Taraso, he said.
Zila parishad member Nabam Eka said that even after assurances were given on observing the status quo on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh interstate boundary during a recent meeting between the district administrations of Papum Pare and Sonitpur, encroachment from Assam continued in Taraso circle.
He claimed that encroachers were clearing jungles, particularly in Tallumso, Radhaso, Sango and Dekhalmukh areas, and were cutting down ripe mustard plantations causing damage of lakhs of rupees.