Poonam Nath

Mizoram's 3rd missive to Assam; to hold official level talks on border disputes

Digital Desk: The Mizoram home department wrote a third notice to Assam on Wednesday, requesting that the latter make immediate arrangements for having official-level talks on border disputes in Guwahati before the fifth session of ministerial talks, according to a senior official.

The official went on to say that the Mizoram government wants to convene an official discussion to work out the arrangements for minister-level negotiations and to address the nitty-gritty details of the boundary disputes between the two neighboring Northeast states.

We believe that the precise protocols for minister-level meetings should be negotiated by officials from both states to ensure that the political-level tête-à-tête is smoother and leads to an acceptable settlement," the official stated.

According to TOI, he added that the Assam government has remained mute despite receiving inquiries on the next round of talks to be held in Guwahati, as well as clarifications requested by the Mizoram government.

"Both stated agreed to continue promoting and maintaining peace and harmony and preventing any untoward incidents along the inter-state border," read a joint statement released on August 9, 2024, following minister-level discussions in Aizawl.

Moreover, before January 31, 2025, the next round of negotiations will get started.

The final round of talks between an Assamese team led by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora and a Mizoram delegation led by Home Minister K Sapdanga took place at the state guest house in Aizawl.

The border dispute between Mizoram and Assam derives from colonial borders made in 1875 and 1933. Mizoram claims a 509-square-mile stretch of inner line reserved forest as part of its territory, although Assam considers the 1933 map to be its constitutional boundary.

Assam now holds significant parts of the ILRF, whilst Mizoram has no ground demarcation of boundaries.