ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Nov 2: Amidst the ongoing efforts to resolve the long-standing Arunachal-Assam boundary dispute by both state governments, the villagers of Durpai in Lower Siang district has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court opposing the Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 20, earlier this year by the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, in which both states agreed to looping of land in certain villages. The petition had been filed by one Reli Kena and 12 others.
The Supreme Court on Monday heard the writ petition and the next hearing is on November 3.
Addressing the media on Thursday ahead of Friday’s hearing, Megam Nyicyor, the President of the Durpai Youth Welfare Association (DYWA), has appealed to Chief Minister Pema Khandu to understand the sentiments of the local residents and help save Durpai.
“Villagers took the step after Assam sought a 60-square-kilometer area from Durpai village, Lower Siang district under the looping system. The land belongs to Arunachal and the people of Durpai since time immemorial, and we are not willing to surrender even an inch of land to Assam,” he said.
The DYWA also called for the intervention of the State government and the representatives of the State in the Supreme Court to extend their support in addressing the ground reality of the situation. Nyicyor further pointed out that there is no dispute between the people of Assam and Arunachal residing in the boundary areas, as there are local village committees in place to resolve boundary issues.
The President of the Durpai Youth Welfare Association informed that the case was presented before the Supreme Court and was heard by the Chief Justice of India on October 30 last and has been listed for November 3 next. “We have requested that the land of Durpai village not be transferred to the state of Assam, as it has been an integral part of the State of Arunachal Pradesh since time immemorial. Therefore, we are urging the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh to support our appeal before the Honorable Supreme Court of India,” he added.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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