Boundary disputes: Assam, Mizoram to take talks forward

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam and Mizoram signed a joint statement in Aizawl today to take forward the process of resolution of the decades-old boundary disputes between them.

Both the states agreed to promote and maintain peace and to prevent any untoward incident along the boundaries. The deputy commissioners of the bordering districts of the two states shall meet at least once in two months.

Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora, Guwahati Development Department and Irrigation Minister Ashok Singhal and Border Protection and Development Commissioner and Secretary GD Tripathi visited Aizawl with a goodwill mission to take forward talks for resolving the Assam-Mizoram boundary disputes.

Upon arrival, ministers and officials from Mizoram offered the Assam team a warm welcome. In the afternoon, they held a meeting at Aijal Club where Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana, Minister of State for Land Revenue and Settlement Lalruatkima, Home Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmaswia and joint Secretary Lalthiamsanga Sailo were present from the Mizoram side.

After a two-hour discussion, both the parties issued a joint statement signed by Atul Bora from the Assam side and Lalchamliana from the Mizoram side.

The joint statement also said, "Both the states agreed that economic activities including cultivation and farming which have been practised by the people along the borders of the two states shall not be disturbed but allowed to continue regardless of the administrative control presently exercised by either state at such locations subject to Forest Regulations and after informing the Deputy Commissioners concerned".

The meeting decided to hold the next meeting between the high-level delegations of the two states at Guwahati in October 2022, where issues and claims would come for detailed deliberations.

The two states reaffirm the Joint Statement of August 5, 2021, in letter and spirit.

In July 2021, several Assam Police personnel lost their lives in border skirmishes between the two states. After the incident, Assam ministers Atul Bora and Ashok Singhal went to Aizawl on August 5, 2021, when they signed a joint statement with their Mizoram counterparts. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also met his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga in New Delhi later.

Ministers Atul Bora and Ashok Singhal are to meet the Mizoram Chief Minister as a courtesy call on Wednesday.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Atul Bora said, "The outcome of our meeting with Mizoram counterparts on August 5, 2021, was positive. We met today to sort out the problems along the border areas. We had several virtual discussions with Mizoram on boundary issues earlier. We are happy to inform you that today's meeting also has a positive outcome. We thank the Assam Chief Minister for his positive measures to solve boundary disputes with Mizoram and other neighbouring states. We believe that the sincere efforts from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a fitting response from the Mizoram Chief Minister will resolve the boundary disputes between the two states. We will meet again in October in Guwahati. We are 100 per cent sure we will solve the decades-old boundary disputes with Mizoram."

Bora further said, "Before signing the joint statement today, we talked to our Chief Minister, and the Mizoram team also talked to their Chief Minister on the joint statement. We are thankful to the Mizoram Government for the grand hospitality."

Assam and Mizoram share a 164.64-km boundary.

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