STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The talks between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga took several decisions on the boundary front at the initiative of Union Home Minister Amit Shah today.
Talking to the media after the meeting at Shah's residence, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We have decided that both the states will constitute committees for resolving the border disputes through discussions. The two states will decide members comprising their respective committees. The committees will also have members from the opposition parties.
"Apart from such committees, chief minister-level talks will take place from time to time to resolve the border disputes.
"We reaffirm our resolve to maintain peace and tranquillity at our borders. We are grateful to the Union Home Minister for his kind guidance and support."
On frequent skirmishes along the Assam-Mizoram border, Sarma said since it is an open border, the local populace carries out construction and other activities beyond their state boundary, leading to unpleasant incidents. None of the state government involves itself in such skirmishes, he said. "Both the states want an amicable solution to the disputes. We have come to Amit Shah to take his advice," he said.
On the statewide protest against the cabinet decision to 'remove the Assamese paper' from the APSC examinations, the Chief Minister said, "Some people are reacting to it without delving deep into the matter. The last State government made a rule to appear in a test of 30-mark Assamese paper to qualify for taking APSC examinations. Many students moved the high court challenging this. The matter is sub-judice now. We have removed this qualifying system as ten to 15 lakh students get education in English medium from the state. They cannot write Assamese properly. Should we deprive these candidates of taking APSC examinations for not being able to write Assamese? To debar candidates from other states, we have taken steps like permanent residence certificate, registration in local employment exchanges, fluent speaking of any language of Assam, including the indigenous languages. I'm 100 per cent sure that such measures will not allow any outsiders to take APSC examinations."
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