GUWAHATI:
Assam border protection and development minister Atul Bora on March 29 blamed previous Congress governments for the long-existing boundary disputes with neighbouring states, including Meghalaya and Mizoram.
“When they carved out states, they had not demarcated the boundaries. They kept alive the problems due to which we have to bear the brunt of the situation at present,” Bora said replying to a starred question from AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam during the question hour of the House.
Islam wanted to know what action has been initiated by the state government to free the land encroached by the neighbouring states, while the administration is showing a zeal to evict common people occupying land in reserve forests and wetlands.
“We can’t fight with the neighbours. The problem can be resolved through talks. Our chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been working for it. Talks are going on with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh,” Bora said.
Stating that Meghalaya has been encroaching on a total of 3,441.8601 hectares of land, Bora said, “The first phase of settlement was reached out for six places of differences with the signing of an MoU between the chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya. Presently, Survey of India (GSI) has been conducting a survey based on the MoU for the first phase settlement.”
“For the second phase of settlement for six other places of differences, both the states have formed regional committees for field study of the dispute areas. The regional committees will start their joint visit soon,” Bora further said.
The minister also informed the House that Mizoram has been encroaching on 3675.7800 hectares of land, Arunachal Pradesh 16144.00117 hectares and Nagaland has been encroaching on 59490.210 hectares of land of the state.
“To resolve the border dispute with Arunachal Pradesh, 12 regional committees have been formed. The committees have completed their joint visits to the disputed areas and submitted their reports to the respective governments. Based on these reports an MoU will be signed by the two states,” the minister said.
“Talks have been going on between Assam and Mizoram government at various levels to resolve the boundary disputes,” the minister also said.
The minister also said a case has been pending with the Supreme Court on the inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland.
The minister informed the House that Mizoram has been continuing illegal activities on Assam land despite the state government maintaining a status quo with the neighbouring state.
“Mizoram set up an armed police camp at Sut Dubirband under Ratabari police station in Karimganj district following the clash at Lailapur along the border on October 2020. Another camp of armed police was set up at Medhalaichera under Bazarichera police station,” he said.
“A police camp of 30 IR Battalion was also set up at Khulicheraa forest village under Cachar Forest Division. A road was also constructed at Rengti Tilla near Dholaikhal,” he also said.
“The building of No 990 Kholakhal LP School was extensively damaged due to grenade attack by miscreants from Mizoram site. The school has been merged with No 708 Singua Basti LP School following the attack in 2020,” the minister said.
He also added that people of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have been setting up churches, schools and other organizations in Golaghat, Dhemanji and Charaideo districts.