Assam, Mizoram sign Joint statement to promote peace and avoid untoward incident at disputed inter-state borders

A bilateral meeting to settle the disputed border conflict between Assam and Mizoram was held today at Aizawl. In the meeting held at Aizawl Club, a delegation from both the states sat for peace talks and find solutions to end this issue. Atul Bora, minister of border protection and development led the delegation from Assam followed by senior state cabinet minister Ashok Singhal and IAS GD Tripathi.

The meeting was held today at 2:30 in the afternoon at Aizawl Club, in the state’s capital city. A joint statement was passed after the meeting by Atul Bora and Lalchamliana, the Home Minister of Mizoram.

The statement reaffirmed the Joint Statement of August 5, 2021. Both the states also agreed to “promote and maintain peace and prevent any untoward incident along the border”. Deputy Commissioners of the bordering district of both the states will meet at least once in two months.

The statement also allowed economic activities, including the cultivation and farming which have been practised by the people along the borders of the two states. In this regard, the delegation has said, “such activities shall not be distributed but allowed to be continued 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 next meeting between the high level delegations of the two states will take place at Guwahati during October 2022. Issues and claims will be deliberated in detail. The delegation visiting Aizawl will have a courtesy meeting with the chief minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga.

This is not the first meeting between the two states, there have been direct talks between the CM of both the states as well. It is worth mentioning here that, last year on July 26, the Lowairpoa border in Cachar, between Assam and Mizoram was breached by Mizoram’s forces. In retaliation, 6 personnel from Assam Police were injured along with 2 civilians.