GUWAHATI:
Mizoram government will furnish its claim on the disputed border within three months for further talks on the vexed boundary dispute with Assam.
This was decided following the third round of minister-level talks between the two states at a city hotel in Guwahati on November 17.
The meeting led to the formation of regional committees by both sides after Mizoram furnish its claims on Assam’s land.
“Mizoram government will furnish the list of villages, their areas, geopolitical extent and ethnicity of the people and other relevant information within three months to support their claim which can be examined by setting up regional committees from both sides to arrive at an amicable solution of the vexed border issues,” a joint statement of Assam and Mizoram governments said after the meeting.
“Assam government will extend its full support whenever sought,” the statement said.
“Both sides agreed to abide by the resolutions encapsulated in the joint statement of August 5 2021,” the statement said.
“Both sides agreed to continue their resolve to maintain peace and harmony on the inter-state border among communities living on both sides to further strengthen their age-old ties,” the statement also said.
“High-level delegation from Mizoram expressed that there has been huge unrest among the areca nut growers in Mizoram on account of problems being faced in the transportation of their produce to Assam and other parts of the country. Both the sides agreed to refer the issue to respective chief ministers to evolve an amicable solution,” it said.
“Both sides also agreed to continue sustained zero-tolerance policy against the transportation of smuggled areca nut from other countries,” it added.
“The Assam government under the strong leadership of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has initiated concrete steps to resolve inter-state border issue with Mizoram and foster peace and friendship with the neighbouring state,” said Atul Bora, minister, of border protection and development, Assam.
“Mizoram is yet to furnish its claim on the disputed land. It will submit its claim within three months. Thereafter we will set up regional commutation for spot verification for an amicable solution,” said a senior official.
Assam side was represented by border protection and development minister Atul Bora, PCCF MK Yadav, commissioner & secretary (border protection & development) GD Tripathi, additional PCCF Sandeep Kumar, IGP D Upadhaya, secretaries of border protection & development Prabhati Thaosen and Prabir Ch Kakati.
Mizoram side was represented by home minister Pu Lalchamliana, minister of state for home Pu Lalruatkima, commissioner & secretary (home) H Lalengmawia, joint secretary (home) L Sailo, OSD cum joint secretary (home) David H Lalthangliana and other senior officials.
The meeting was scheduled to be held on November 4 but was postponed owing to the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Mizoram.
This is the third round of minister-level meetings between the two states, the first being held on August 5, 2021, Aijal Club in Mizoram capital Aizawl and the second round was held on August 8, this year.
Mizoram shares a 164.6-km long boundary with Assam. The decades-old boundary dispute between the two states mainly erupted between 1875 and 1933 colonial demarcations.
Mizoram recognized the demarcation established under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BERF) notified in 1875, which covers extensive areas that currently fall under Assam.
However, the Assam administration pointed out the 1933 notification delineation that falls within constitutional bounds.
Nearly 60 people sustained injuries in an altercation at a disputed region along the inter-state border in 2021. Following the tragic incident, both state governments consented to uphold tranquillity and negotiate a peaceful settlement of the interstate boundary dispute.