Amit Shah questioned the steps state governments are taking to defuse tensions, sources say (File)
New Delhi:
Union Home Secretary Amit Shah had separate phone conversations with the chief ministers of Assam and Mizoram on Wednesday to resolve the stalemate between the two states over an interstate border dispute.
Tension has simmered in border areas since Saturday after clashes between residents of neighboring states. Talks on the ground between the two states broke down on Tuesday. The Mizoram had said it would import essential goods from abroad if the blockade of trucks carrying supplies into Assam was not eased. Assam had demanded that the Mizoram withdraw its forces from its territory.
The Mizoram today has decided to withdraw its forces from the Assam border to some extent following intervention by senior central government officials.
Sources say Shah asked about measures state governments are taking to defuse tensions and said the Union Home Office has launched measures to keep the peace on the Assam border. -Mizoram.
During his interaction with the Home Secretary, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed him that a discussion of senior government officials to address the border issue had already started.
He also informed Mr. Shah that Mizoram CM Zoramthanga, in a telephone interview earlier, assured him of taking positive steps to strengthen border peace and strengthen brotherhood between the peoples of the two states.
Union (Northeast) Interior Ministry Deputy Secretary Satyendra Garg held talks with the interior secretaries of the two states in Silchar on Wednesday.
During the talks, all border issues and measures necessary to maintain peace and law and order were discussed in depth, a spokesperson said.
Mr Sonowal ordered the authorities concerned to ensure the smooth movement of trucks and other vehicles across the interstate border into Mizoram.
The violence prompted the chief ministers of both states to brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union’s Home Office, who called on them to work together and sort out their issues.
