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Assam, Arunachal should resolve dispute: SC

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Sept 16 - The Supreme Court today observed that there was a possibility of violence breaking out in disputed areas along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.

This observation of the Division Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice TS Thakur and Justice Kurien Joseph, came during a hearing of a suit dating back to 1989 pertaining to a boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Supreme Court is looking into the aspect of maintainability of the suit filed by Government of Assam and determination of areas, which are disputed after demarcation.

�There is a possibility of violence erupting in the disputed areas,� observed the Bench, adjourning the matter for six weeks allowing time to both the parties to file additional documents.

�What next? Will your police forces start firing at each other now? There are enough problems on the border, don�t create problems within it,� Justice Thakur remarked.

The Government of Assam was represented by senior counsel Kapil Sibal and K Venugopal, while Arunachal Pradesh was represented by senior advocates Raju Ramachandran and T R Andhyarujina.

The Supreme Court today heard the interim application filed by Arunachal Pradesh alleging that Assam Police personnel have encroached into territories administered by Arunachal Pradesh, which is part of the disputed territory.

Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran submitted that the police cordoned off the area, started clearing the forest and bulldozing the place.

The Assam Government�s counsel Kapil Sibal also made similar submissions against Arunachal Pradesh, buttressing his claim with printed copies of satellite map to prove Arunachal Pradesh�s activities in the disputed territory.

The Supreme Court, however, was reluctant to accept the submission pertaining to the disputed territory stating that it was not possible to verify such claims. It suggested that the two States should sit across the table and resolve the dispute.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are having boundary disputes along 792 square km area. The inter-State boundary between the tri-junction of Bhutan, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh up to the right bank of Subansiri River was demarcated during 1971-73.

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