Mizoram decides to withdraw forces from Assam territory

* Decision reached after MHA Joint Secretary intervenes

* Home Secretary-level meeting held in Silchar

* Steps taken to ensure movement of trucks to Mizoram

Mizoram decides to withdraw forces from Assam territory Mizoram has decided to pull its forces from Assam's territory. The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting with Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (in charge of North East) Satyendra Kumar Garg at the Circuit House here on Wednesday evening.

Announcing the decision, Home Secretary, Mizoram, Pi Lalbiaksangi said that the Union Government, the Assam Government and the Mizoram Government had fruitful discussions; and resolved to settle the matter amicably across the negotiation table. Home Secretary, Assam, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi said that Mizoram had acceded to our request and decided to withdraw its forces from Assam's territory.

Tripathi also said that both the sides decided to restore peace and normalcy in the disturbed areas. Efforts are on to restart the movement of trucks carrying essential commodities stranded on the Assam side of the inter-State boundary to Mizoram, added Tripathi.

In the morning, a team of officials from Assam and Mizoram led by the Home Secretaries had met at an Army camp close to Lailapur along the inter-State boundary to resolve the imbroglio and to bring back complete peace and normalcy in the disturbed areas. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere.

During the meeting, Assam Home Secretary Tripathi asked his Mizoram counterpart to withdraw its security forces from Assam's territory and to restore the status quo at the earliest. He pointed out that the presence of Mizoram policemen has caused fear psychosis in the minds of truckers.

Mizoram Home Secretary Pi Lalbiaksangi said that she would place the request from Assam with the higher authorities for withdrawal of the State's security forces. Meanwhile, she urged the Assam counterpart to first ensure movement of the trucks laden with essential commodities stranded on the Assam side of the boundary as soon as possible.

Tripathi assured that the State government and the district administration are persuading the owners and truckers to start movement of trucks carrying essential goods so that people on the other side of the inter-State boundary do not face hardship. "We are for people-to-people contact and keeping every mode of communication open so that the age-old camaraderie and bonhomie among the people of both the neighbouring States prevail," he added.

Tripathi asked Lalbiaksangi to also ensure that there is no encroachment in the reserved forest areas.

The Assam Home Secretary also asked his counterpart to bring to book the miscreants who burnt down huts and stalls on the Assam side of the boundary on Saturday night.

Assam's Director General of Police (Special - Border Wing) Mukesh Agarwal said that the truckers and also people in other vehicles stranded in southern Assam, are unwilling to go to Mizoram without adequate security. He said that the issue must be resolved immediately for the interest of the people of both the States.

The Assam side also comprised Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli, Karimganj Deputy Commissioner M. Ambumathan, Southern Range DIG Dilip Kumar Dey, Cachar SP B.L. Meena, Karimganj SP Mayank Kumar, Cachar DFO Sunny Deo Choudhury, Karimganj DFO Md. Jalnur Ali and IFS (P) Chiranjeev P. Jain. The Mizoram side was also represented by IGP L.H. Shanliana, DIG Lalbiakthanga Khangte, OSD-cum-Deputy Secretary (Home) David L. Lalthanliana and Kolasib Deputy Commissioner Dr H Lalthlangliana, stated a release.

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