Ministers at work to lift Mizoram blockade to ensure movement of goods-laden vehicles

* Movement of Mizoram-bound goods-laden vehicles likely to resume tonight: Suklabaidya

STAFF REPORTER & IANS

GUWAHATI: Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya and Urban Development Minister Ashok Singhal rushed to the Assam-Mizoram border to ensure the movement of goods-laden vehicles to Mizoram. They, however, could do little against the public sentiment.

A section of the local people heightened the situation by pelting stones at Mizoram-bound trucks today. The Cachar SP is trying to bring the situation under control.

Talking to The Sentinel, Cachar guardian minister Ashok Singhal said, "We are trying to strike a happy medium. The people of Mizoram are crying for food and medicines, and their counterparts in Assam are still not getting out of the shock of six police personnel losing their lives. We are trying to ensure the movement of goods-laden vehicles."

The two ministers are holding talks with representatives of NGOs, leading citizens of the area, Silchar Truck Drivers' Association and Nagatilla Truck Owners' Association.

Suklabaidhya, on the other hand, said later, "The movement of the Mizoram-bound stranded goods-laden vehicles is likely to resume tonight."

Amid the 13-day-long 'economic blockade', hundreds of Mizoram-bound vehicles remained stranded in Assam.

Officials said that Singhal and Suklabaidya, accompanied by Cachar DC and SP, are "holding talks with all stakeholders" at Lailapur, the entry point to Mizoram.

"We are making all efforts to resume the movement of vehicles between the two states, especially the Mizoram-bound goods laden trucks and other vehicles," a Cachar district official said.

About the latest development, Mizoram's Information and Public Relations Minister of State (Independent charge) Lalruatkima said in Aizawl that Assam's Minister Singhal informed him that all vehicles that remained stranded on NH-306 would cross the border by Saturday evening. "We are grateful to both CMs of Assam and Mizoram for relentlessly working towards the restoration of peace between the two states," the Minister tweeted.

Mizoram Health Minister R Lalthangliana said in Aizawl that besides the essential commodities and transport fuels, Mizoram has been facing a severe crisis of vital medicines. "Covid patients are dying for want of medicines. Seriously ill patients are in dire need of life-saving drugs..." the Minister said in a video message.

"With the rise in the number of Covid cases, we are finding it extremely difficult to take care of the patients who are in dire need of oxygen given the limited supply due to the blockade. Other basic medicines and necessities of Covid management, including PPE kits and vital drugs, are still stuck at the border," the Minister said.

Also Read: Assam, Mizoram government agree to find an amicable solution on inter-state boundary

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