There have been no new acts of violence, but tension persists in the border districts.
Guwahati:
No progress has been made in ground-level talks between Mizoram and Assam to resolve the interstate border dispute in the Barak Valley region, where several people were injured in a standoff on the issue last week, authorities say. Mizoram has toughened its position on the rift, saying it will get essential supplies from neighboring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh if the truck blockade in Assam is not eased. Both states agreed to hold talks at the interior secretary level on Wednesday.
Hundreds of trucks carrying basic goods to Mizoram have been stranded at the interstate border since Oct. 16. There have been no new acts of violence, but tension persists in the border districts.
“In view of the blockade of the national highway, which is the livelihood of essential goods for the people of Mizoram, the Chief Minister mentioned that this would require the government to explore the possibilities of transporting essential goods through the neighboring states of Manipur and Tripura, and even neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh, “said a statement from the Mizoram government.
The Assam government has said it is committed to restoring normalcy along the interstate border with Mizoram.
“At ground zero, we were having talks at the deputy commissioner level, but things have not progressed. On Wednesday, we will have talks at the secretary of the interior level with Mizoram. The idea is to find a solution to the impasse quickly and instill confidence.” . The truckers have been insured by Mizoram and from abroad they will be provided with security coverage; however, they are unwilling to address Mizoram. We hope to make some progress soon, “Assam’s Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna told NDTV.
The interior secretary-level talks will be held at the Lailapur beat office on Wednesday morning to resolve the matter amicably, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, commissioner and secretary of Assam, Department of Border Protection, told reporters.
The officer has called on Mizoram to withdraw its security forces from Assam’s territorial jurisdiction and dismantle their camps.
“Regarding the non-functioning of the trucks transporting basic goods to Mizoram due to the apprehension in the minds of the truck drivers and transport owners about their safety within Mizoram, the district administrations of three districts of the Barak valley leaves no stones unturned to guarantee movement, “he added.
Assam Police Special (Border) DGP Mukesh Agarwal said the situation at the border is under control, with no further incidents in the last 24 hours. He promised adequate protection to people living near the border.
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