The governments of Assam and Mizoram signed a joint statement on August 9, 2022, resolving to continue talks to resolve the border dispute between the two states. Ministerial talks took place in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram, following which the joint statement was released. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in October in Guwahati.
The statement reads, “Both the States reaffirm the Joint Statement of 5th August 2021 in letter and spirit. Both the States agreed to promote and maintain peace and to prevent any untoward incident along the borders, the Deputy Commissioners of the bordering districts of both States shall meet at least once in two months.”
The states also agreed to ensure economic activities, especially farming, be allowed to continue without any hiccups, especially along and across the border. Assam was represented by minister Atul Bora, while State Home Minister Lalchamliana represented Mizoram at the meeting in Aizawl.
Bora tweeted saying, “We are hopeful that today’s meeting will go a long way in finding amicable solutions & convey positive message to the people living on either side of the border.”
The problem stems from an unresolved border-dispute between the states. In colonial times, Mizoram was a district of Assam and was called Lushai Hills. In 1875 a notification was issued that differentiated Lushai Hills from the Cachar plains.
Today, three districts of Mizoram — Kolasib, Aizawl and Mamit — share a border with southern Assam’s Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts. It is alleged that in many places the border is not properly demarcated leaving it porous, thus leading to encroachment.
The border dispute talks had to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but intermittent violence has been reported in the region even during the lockdown.
