“CM Assam wants peace,” Ashok Singhal; “Congress should have settled it way back,” Atul Bora

The Assam delegation has reached Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl for the historic meeting. This is for the first time the ministers of the two states will meet formally since the onslaught that was unleashed by Mizoram forces on Assam Police personnel leading six dead and more than 60 injured on July 26.

The delegation comprising of cabinet ministers in Assam, Ashok Singhal, Atul Bora and Commissioner and Secretary, border protection and development G D Tripathi will meet Lalchamliana, Home Minister of Mizoram, Lalruatkima, MoS IC, Rural Development and Vanlalngaihsaka, Secretary Home. Both delegations greeted each other with pleasantries before the commencement of the historic meeting.

Speaking with Barak Bulletin, Minister Ashok Singhal said, “Chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma is clear at his stance that Assam wants absolute peace in Northeast and an amicable solution to this border issue between Assam and Mizoram.”

Minister Atul Bora added, “If Congress would have sorted the border issue with Mizoram immediately after the state conceded it to be separated away from Assam, things would not have escalated to what it is today. We are clear, we can only solve the border issue through dialogues and that is why we are here.

The Mizoram Government repeatedly claimed that the firing happened within the territory of Mizoram that Assam Police “Forcefully encroached.” Contradicting the claims, Atul Bora said, “Assam Police personnel were martyred within the jurisdiction of Cachar district in Lailapur area.” Bora said the Assam Government is aware of Mizoram’s demand to demarcate the border following the Lushai Hills demarcation done by the British through Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act. of 1873. “We will discuss this issue in the meeting today,” said Bora.