Border disputes: Assam's focus now on Mizoram

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: After achieving significant breakthroughs in resolving border disputes with Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh through bilateral discussions, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is now focusing on resolving Assam's border disputes with Mizoram through similar means.

Sarma said that Assam's Border Protection and Development Minister, Atul Bora will visit Mizoram very soon to meet Chief Minister Zoramthanga with a view to initiating a dialogue to resolve the border disputes between the two states.

At the same time, Sarma clarified that the border disputes with Nagaland will have to be resolved in the Supreme Court. "However, till such time as the Supreme Court delivers its verdict, we will maintain our unity and friendship and jointly undertake development works in the sensitive borders areas so that the local people do not suffer", Sarma said.

Regarding the Namsai Declaration which was signed yesterday, Sarma said that a mistake had been made earlier by both sides by approaching the Supreme Court without trying to resolve the disputes through discussions. He said because he and his counterpart Pema Khandu sat together to discuss the matter, disputes regarding 37 villages could be settled amicably and more such solutions are likely to be arrived at by September 15. He further informed that since the entire matter is pending in the Supreme Court, the apex court will be apprised of progress made in bilateral negotiations. He said that the Namsai Declaration reflects the unity among the North-eastern states.

Sarma added that the region is now on the way to fulfilling Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assurance to resolve the problems of the Northeast in concert with completion of 75 years of India's Independence.

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