Itanagar: The apex bodies of Galos and Misings signed Likabali Declaration on Saturday to curb conflict and tension along the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam boundary.
It was signed by Mising Bane Kebang (MBK) and the Galo Welfare Society (GWS) at Likabali, the headquarters of Lower Siang district in Arunachal, 171km from here.
Founded on the agreement that both Misings of Dhemaji district in Assam and Galos of adjacent Lower Siang district share a common ancestor, the declaration agreed to constitute the Galo-Mising Co-ordination Committee (GMCC).
The GMCC, which would appoint president and general secretary on a rotational basis, would sort out any dispute between individuals of both communities residing along the inter-state boundaries.
Any sorting of dispute would be through dialogue and without/minimal interference from the administration.
The GMCC would act as the medium for promoting brotherhood, cultural exchanges, facilitation of celebration of festivals like Ali Aye Ligang and Mopin, promote trade and commerce along the inter-state boundary, and further facilitate formation of a research and development committee to explore and propagate the cultural and ancestral history of the two communities.
Another significant point in the Likabali Decalaration is the agreement between the representatives of the two communities to mutually recognise and respect the possessional rights over respective land and property.
Both sides agreed that there shall be no act of tresspass or encroachment.
The Likabali Declaration also called for both the GWS and MBK to uphold the decisions taken in the meeting at Gogamukh on June 13, wherein, it was agreed that both the GWS and MBK would come to the aid of each other and protect one another from prejudice and discrimination in their respective areas of authority.
The GWS was represented by its president Mitum Boje and general secretary Minge Loyi, while the MBK was represented by its president Paramananda Chayengia (also chief executive councillor of the Mising Autonomous Council) and general secretary Raju Medok.
The Likabali Declaration attained political significance and approval with endorsement from the elected lawmakers on both sides, Jonai-Dhemaji MLA Buvan Pegu for MBK and 36th Nari-Koyu MLA Kento Rina and 28th Likabali MLA Kardo Nyicyor for the GWS.
Endorsing the move by the GWS and MBK, the lawmaker trio in their speeches hoped that the coming together of the two communities in pursuit of peaceful co-existence would set a positive trend and become a model for all others to emulate.
To commemorate the day, the legislators and executive members of the GWS and MBK later planted saplings on the premises of Likabali Government Higher Secondary School auditorium.
