In a welcome move, Assam and Mizoram governments on August 5 issued a joint statement and agreed to remove the tensions prevailing around the inter-state borders and to find lasting solutions to the disputes through discussions.
The joint statement appreciated and agreed to take forward the initiatives taken by the Union home ministry and the respective chief ministers to ease the situation.
A meeting between representatives of both the states was held on August 5 at the Aijal Club in Aizawl. The two parties mutually agreed upon several points to ease the border tensions and issued a joint statement.
The Mizoram delegation, led by home minister Lalchamliana, also included revenue minister Lalruatkima and home secretary Vanlalngaihsaka.
On Assam’s part, the delegation was led by minister for border protection & development, Atul Bora, and included minister for urban development, Ashok Singhal, and commissioner & secretary, border protection & development, GD Tripathi.
The Mizoram delegation conveyed condolences for the loss of lives on July 26 and wished speedy recovery of those injured.
Both the state governments agreed to maintain peace in the inter-state border areas and welcomed deployment of neutral force by central government in this regard. For this purpose, both the states shall not send their respective forest and police forces for patrolling, domination, enforcement or for fresh deployment to any of the areas where confrontation and conflict has taken place between the police forces of the two states during recent times.
Representatives of both the states further agreed to take all necessary measures to promote, preserve and maintain peace and harmony among the people living in Assam and Mizoram, particularly in the border areas.
In the meeting, there was an agreement between both the states to hold regular deputy commissioner-level meeting of border area districts to sort out issues.
