The vandalism and opposition by locals of Assam over construction of 70 km PMGSY road from Likabali to Durpai in Kangku Circle of Lower Siang district by the Arunachal Pradesh government on January 27, once again comes as a huge set back. The incident which occured a day after chief ministers of Arunachal and Assam, Pema Khandu and Himanta Biswa Sarma met to discuss the interstate boundary dispute, proves that the contentious issue will be an acid test for policy makers.

The incident which occured a day after India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day also highlights the pathetic state of affairs in Kangku Circle and many other foothill areas of Arunachal which are at the centre of the vexed interstate boundary dispute. 

The said PMGSY road which was launched on 2nd August 2019, is an outcome of a long wait and rigorous democratic movement by the residents of Kangku Circle. 2700 voters across 24 villages did not cast a single vote at five of the nine polling stations of the circle during the by-election to Likabali constituency on 12 December 2017 as the voters had boycotted election with the demand "No road no vote". This road is a dream come true for people of Kangku circle who have suffered enough. The ongoing PMGSY road will provide all- weather connectivity for the people of the circle without having to touch Assam.

The Arunachal government must ensure all possible measures for the smooth construction of this important project and see that it doesn't get entangled in the interstate tussle.

The decision to settle the decades-old boundary issue with Assam "out of court" was taken in an all-party meeting convened by the Arunachal government in August 11 in 2021, for which a high power ministerial committee was constituted. There is a lot of confidence building to do as has been clearly shown by the latest incident.