Assam likely to do away with advisory issued earlier against travel to Mizoram
To resolve the long-standing Assam-Mizoram border dispute and diffuse the escalating tension between the two states, delegates of both the states held a discussion at the Aijal Club, Aizawl, on Thursday.
Three representatives from Mizoram - Home minister Lalchamliana, Land Revenue, and Settlement Minister Lalruatkima, and Home Department secretary Vanlalngaihsaka met with Assam cabinet ministers, Atul Bora and Ashok Singhal, to find an amicable solution to the border row through discussions.
Considering the sensitivity of the issue, both the delegations refrained from issuing any individual remarks, and instead issued a joint statement stating that both the states have agreed “to remove tension prevailing around the inter-state borders and to find lasting solutions to the disputes through discussions”.
Speaking about the Assam government’s travel advisory issued on July 30 asking people of Assam not to travel to Mizoram, minister Bora said, “Yes, we are willing to revoke the advisory and can assure you that everything will be okay between the states soon. In short, it was a very fruitful discussion.”
The representatives of the Mizoram government also conveyed their condolences for the loss of lives of six Assam police personnel in the violent face-off between security forces of both states on July 26, the statement said.
Both the states also agreed upon conducting regular meetings at the local level to maintain a harmonious relationship, especially in the borderline areas.
“We will be conducting monthly meetings between the states on the district level and if a problem arises in the future, we will resolve them through these meetings at the local level,” assured minister Lalchamliana.
The statement also stated that both Assam and Mizoram will strive to maintain peace in the bordering areas - Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar in Assam, and Mamit and Kolasib districts of Mizoram–and, “shall not send respective forest and police forces for patrolling, domination, enforcement or fresh deployment to any of the areas where confrontation and conflict have taken place…”
Both the states also agreed on the deployment of neutral forces by the Government of India in the inter-state bordering areas.
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