Mizoram seeks resumption of border talks with Assam

Aizawl: Mizoram home department is preparing the third letter to be sent to the Assam govt regarding resumption of minister-level negotiations as the proposed next round of minister-level talks on the border dispute between the two states is yet to be initiated.
A senior home department official told TOI on Sunday that the letter will be dispatched soon as there has been no response to their overtures from the Assam counterpart even as it is scheduled to be held before March 31 this year.
He said the Assam govt has been keeping silent even after queries were sent on the next round of talks to be held in Guwahati and also regarding some clarifications sought by the Mizoram govt.
"We feel that Assam is dragging its feet on the proposed resumption of talks as it was proposed to hold official-level talks to sort out modalities and nitty-gritties before the minister-level negotiation is held in Guwahati," the official, who does not want to be named, said. He said despite several intimations sent by the state home department, there has been not a single response from Assam.
A joint statement issued on Aug 9 last year after minister-level talks in Aizawl said, "Both the states agreed to continue to promote and maintain peace and harmony and prevent any untoward incidents along the inter-state border. The next round of talks should begin before 31st January, 2025."
The last round of negotiation was held at the state guest house in Aizawl. Mizoram delegation was headed by home minister K Sapdanga while Assam delegation was led by border protection and development minister Atul Bora.
It may be noted that three districts of Mizoram — Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit — share a 164.6km-long interstate boundary with Assam's Cachar, Karmganj and Hailankandi districts.