Assam Protesters Blockade Arunachal Pradesh After Border Firing

The Takam Mising Porin Kebang, an organization representing the Mising community in Assam, enforced a 12-hour shutdown and an indefinite economic blockade in the Dhemaji district on August 12, 2026. The protests followed a firing incident on August 10 in the Mingmang Bodoti area along the disputed border with Arunachal Pradesh, which occurred during a meeting to resolve land claims. Reports on casualties vary, with estimates ranging from 11 to 18 injured Assam villagers.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma requested that Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu conduct a formal inquiry to identify and punish the culprits. Sarma noted that the incident was painful given that the two states have settled boundary disputes in most sectors, though five sectors remain contested. In response, Khandu assured an impartial investigation and the resumption of joint regional committee discussions.

The two states share an 804.1-km border with approximately 1,200 points of dispute. While many have been resolved under the Namsai Declaration, some matters remain pending before the Supreme Court of India. Protesters continue to demand the arrest of those responsible for the firing and the cancellation of gun licenses for residents along the Arunachal border.