Border row: Assam-Mizoram sign joint statement, agree to continue economic activities at border

Assam and Mizoram have agreed that economic activities including cultivation and farming which have been practised by the people along the borders of the two States shall not be disturbed but allowed to continue regardless of the administrative control presently exercised by either State at such locations subject to Forest Regulations and after informing the Deputy Commissioners concerned.

A delegation from Assam led by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora visited Mizoram on Tuesday. Bora was accompanied by Assam Housing and Urban Minister Ashok Singhal, Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana led the team from the state.

In a joint statement 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.

Both the States agreed that economic activities including cultivation and farming which have been practised by the people along the borders of the two States shall not be disturbed but allowed to continue regardless of the administrative control presently exercised by either State at such locations subject to Forest Regulations and after informing the Deputy Commissioners concerned.

The declaration stated the next meeting between the High Level delegations of the two States shall take place at Guwahati during October, 2022 where issues and claims will be deliberated in detail.

Mizoram shares a 164.6-km long boundary with Assam, which has seen several flare-ups in the last few years. Last year there were clashes along Assam-Mizoram border which resulted in the death of seven people and injuries to several others. The Union Home ministry had to intervene.