EDITORIAL | Discussion - a recipe to resolve vexed interstate boundary disputes in Northeast

FROM THE EDITOR's DESK: 

The vexed interstate boundary disputes in the Northeast is nothing new - this problem has been a cause of concern and a bone of contention for the five states sharing a border with Assam. 

Since the five states - Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur attained statehood, this issue has persisted. 

Guns and bullets, muscle power can never solve the problem and this is evident from the violent incidents of the past, with the Assam-Mizoram & Assam-Meghalaya clashes being the recent examples. 

Waging war (figuratively) against your neighbouring state would only widen the misunderstanding. Yes, a discussion is the only way to resolve the vexed interstate boundary disputes in the Northeast. 

Let us not forget that the Northeast - land of the seven sisters and one brother, is in itself is a land of diversity, with each state having its unique culture and tradition - something of which every northeasterner is proud of. 

The fact that chief ministers of both Assam and Mizoram are letting go of their egos (or so it seems) and trying to resolve this issue through dialogues, is a welcoming step. 

On Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma maintained that border disputes can only be resolved through discussion and informed that he will likely speak to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga post quarantine. 

As tension along the Assam-Mizoram border has subsided, the leaders of both the states have expressed their willingness to initiate talks to resolve the issue and "to keep the spirit of Northeast alive."

There is an urgent to heed the call for peace and tranquillity in the region and let us not allow the Northeast to be looked at as a "disturbing" region, as was done when militancy was at its peak in the NE.