Mizoram commits to withdraw forces from Assam; "Today's development certainly a way forward," CS Jishnu Baruah

A meeting over video conference, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, between the chief secretaries of Assam and Mizoram took place earlier today. According to officers who were in the meeting, it was communicated to the Union Home Secretary, that government of Mizoram failed to live up to its commitment to withdrawing forces. A tri-party meeting was held earlier in October in presence of Joint Secretary Northeast, Satyendra Garg where it was agreed that Mizoram will withdraw its forces and retreat from the territory of Assam.

That did not happen. The forces remained and the Mizo miscreants became more aggressive and allegedly started bombing properties inside Assam’s territory. “The two blasts were also discussed in today’s meeting,” informed an officer present.

Addressing the press after the meeting, according to PTI, Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo said a unanimous decision was taken that Mizoram will withdraw its forces from the disputed areas and the blockade on National Highway-306 on the Assam side will be lifted.

Chief secretary of Assam, Jishnu Baruah has welcomed the decisions taken in the meeting. Speaking with Barak Bulletin he said, “We welcome the decisions arrived at in the VC held today under the Chairmanship of Union Home Secretary.”

In the meeting, the delegation from Mizoram alleged that DC Cachar with the help of Assam Police has installed several blockades on the National Highway disrupting the supply chain to the state. The chief secretary of Mizoram has placed it on record that due to the disruption, there is a scarcity of essential commodities in Mizoram and inflation in price.

Assam Government countered the allegations stating that the state’s agencies had never installed a blockade. “It needs to be clarified that no blockade has been imposed by State Government agencies in Assam,” reiterated chief secretary, Baruah while talking to Barak Bulletin.

He added, “Further, while Assam has flagged many other points in its interactions with the Government of Mizoram from time to time, today’s development is certainly a way forward.”

Baruah’s counterpart Chuaungo also welcomed the decision. He said the Centre was keen on resolving the inter-state dispute between Mizoram and Assam and is constantly in touch with both the governments.

Three companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have arrived in Mizoram on Saturday and the chief secretary Chuaungo said, “One company and two platoons of BSF will be deployed at Vairengte, two platoons at Saihapui ”V” village in Kolasib district and one company at Thinghlun village in the Mamit district.”

Thousands of trucks are parked on Assam’s side of the border as the truckers repeatedly said they fear traveling to Mizoram as armed civilians terrorize them. According to an officer from Mizoram, it has been agreed that both states would provide escorts to the trucks for their safe passage into the state.

After this meeting, the situation is expected to start crawling back towards normalcy.