The Mizoram refused to budge, claiming that state forces are deployed on its territory (Representation)
Aizawl:
The Mizoram would withdraw some of its forces from the border with Assam and personnel from the Border Security Forces (BSF) will be deployed in their stead, a senior official said on Sunday.
The decision was taken at a meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, between the chief secretaries of Assam and Mizoram, he said.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo said a unanimous decision had been taken that the Mizoram would withdraw its forces from the disputed areas and that the blockade of the 306 national road from the Assam side would be lifted.
Traffic from Assam is expected to resume on Sunday evening or Monday, he said.
Residents of Lailapur village and neighboring areas of Cachar district, Assam, have been under an economic blockade since October 28, demanding the withdrawal of Mizoram forces from what they claimed to be Assam territory, officials said.
The Mizoram refused to budge, saying state forces were deployed in its territory.
Mr. Chuaungo said the main agenda of the meeting at the chief secretary level was to find a short-term solution – withdrawal of forces and lifting of the blockade.
“We will withdraw part of our forces to deploy BSF personnel in the disputed areas. The blockade in Assam will also be lifted and traffic should resume on Sunday evening or Monday,” he said.
Mr. Chuaungo said the Center was keen to resolve the interstate dispute between Mizoram and Assam and was in constant contact with the two governments.
Three companies from the Border Security Force (BSF) arrived in the state on Saturday, he said.
One company and two BSF platoons will be deployed to Vairengte, two platoons to Saihapui “V” village in Kolasib district and one company to Thinghlun village in Mamit district.
However, part of the state forces will remain deployed in the disputed areas to keep the peace among the Mizo, he said.
The border dispute between Mizoram and Assam escalated on October 9 when a hut and plantations were reportedly destroyed by officials in Karimganj district, Assam, on farmland near the village of Thinghlun in Mamit district, west of Mizoram.
The tension was further heightened when residents of Vairengte in Kolasib, Mizoram, set fire to several temporary bamboo huts and stalls in a violent clash on the night of October 17. At least seven people from Mizoram and a few others from Assam were injured in the clash. Although several dialogues took place, normalcy could not be restored in the region.
