NEW DELHI: The chief minister- level talks in New Delhi have led to the governments of Assam and Nagaland vowing to resolve the long-standing border dispute between the two states peacefully.
Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio held discussions in New Delhi on Thursday (April 20) for resolving the border dispute between the two states.
The CM- level discussions were held at Assam Bhawan in New Delhi.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We had an engaging discussion on bringing closure to the ongoing boundary issue.”
Meanwhile, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio informed that both the states are making efforts to resolve the border issue without resorting to the court of law.
“We discussed border issues. We will have to work together, support one another,” the Nagaland chief minister said after his meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Furthermore, the Nagaland chief minister said that his government has agreed to sign a pact with the Assam government to facilitate oil exploration in disputed areas of the two states.
The Nagaland CM stated that bringing peaceful solution to the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border issue was an example of how disputes should be resolved
The Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments, on Thursday (April 20), signed an agreement to bring an end to the border dispute between the two states that has been lingering for the past five decades.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been actively engaging in discussions to resolve the border disputes. CM Sarma and his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu signed the Namsai Declaration on July 15 last year, in which, both the chief ministers pledged to find solutions to the disputes soon.
Notably, the regional committees, comprising ministers, local MLAs and officials from both sides dealing with specific areas were formed last year to take the discussion forward.
Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a Union territory in 1972, nursed a grievance that several forest tracts in the plains that had traditionally belonged to its hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam.
When Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee with the Centre was set up. It recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh, which Assam contested and the matter is still before the Supreme Court.
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