BHALUKPONG,Jan 29:  At a time  when inter-state boundary settlement is heating up in some parts of Assam and Arunachal, the people of  Sonitpur district of Assam and West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh have  chosen  another way to settle their boundary dispute by launching a 'border festival' on  Sunday at Bhalukpong.  
With objective to promote brotherhood and strengthen the relationship of the people living along the boundary, a border festival was launched today under the joint initiative of Sootea Constituency MLA Padma Hazarika (Assam) and Thrizino-Bhalukpong MLA Kumsi Sidisow.
The festival focused on cultural show of both Assam and Arunachal. Bodo cultural show was displayed from Assam side on other hand Aka community displayed cultural show. As part of the festival, volleyball was played.  
Speaking to media persons Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika informed that the festival is aimed to strengthen relationship of the people living along the border.  Hazarika also informed that in his area, there is no land dispute with Arunachal Pradesh.
“This festival is to develop relationship; we have to live peacefully along the border. If our relationship is strong there would be no dispute along the border,” Hazarika said.
“In my constituency there is no dispute. There was disagreement on 19 meters. But we sacrificed the 19 meters as we are big brother,” Hazarika informed.
‘This border festival border will continue next year we will celebrate it bigger and better," he stated.
Meanwhile, Thrizino-Bhalukpong MLA Kumsi Sidisow emphasized that such festival involving people from both sides would promote peaceful relationship.
“The mutual understanding and respect among the people living along the boundary of Sonitpur(Assam) and West Kameng(Arunachal) is reason that there was no boundary issue here,” said MLA Sidisow.  
Sidisow further informed that the festival is part of their effort to promote for cultural exchange to strengthen the relationship.  MLA Thrizino maintained that even if the boundary issue is resolved, such inter-state festival should be promoted to facilitate the people to exchange their cultural values.
The respective deputy commissioners of Sonitpur-West Kameng and PRI leaders also attended the festival.

---

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

<< Back to News List