Mizoram Seeks Peaceful Border Resolution with Assam, Says Minister

AIZAWL: The government of Mizoram is determined to resolve its age-old border conflict with Assam through peace, ensuring that border inhabitants can live in peace and maintain their livelihood, Home Minister K Sapdanga said on Wednesday.

While addressing the Mizoram State Boundary Committee (MSBC) meeting held in Aizawl, Sapdanga was hopeful of a permanent solution through the next round of talks with Assam officers on April 25 in Guwahati.

Sapdanga pointed out the important work done by a four-member study group, established on January 25, 2024, who have been actively engaged in bringing necessary documents to support Mizoram's case during the negotiations.

"I believe that the study group has retrieved important and reliable documents to strengthen the Mizoram government's and the state government delegation's preparations are good enough," he replied. The seven-member delegation from the state will be headed by Home Secretary Vanlalmawia.

Some of the notable figures present at the MSBC meeting included Revenue Minister B Lalchhanzova, Chief Minister's Adviser Lalmuanpuia Punte, Chief Secretary H Lalengmawia, members of the study group, political party leaders, civil society groups, and Home Department officials.

The committee has worked proactively on resolving the border question, and during the last government led by the previous Mizo National Front administration beginning July 30, 2021, there have been five meetings and two meetings since the start of the present Zoram People's Movement government.

Previous talks have set the stage for ongoing discussions. The fourth ministerial-level conference was held on August 9, 2023, in Aizawl, with Mizoram's team headed by K Sapdanga and Assam's delegation headed by Atul Bora.

A joint press note issued after the conference reaffirmed that conditions agreed to earlier would continue to hold, and both states would continue collaborating to solve pending problems and consider modalities for a final settlement.

In spite of some violent clashes along the 123-km border — including a tragic firefight on July 26, 2021, that claimed five Assam Police personnel — there has been considerable progress. A breakthrough was achieved after Atul Bora's peace mission to Mizoram in August 2021, resulting in three rounds of talks in Aizawl and one in Guwahati.

Besides, former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma twice met in Delhi, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah present, in an effort to reaffirm the peace commitment.

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