No.296/2020-2021

Kolasib 21st October 2020: Home Secretaries of Mizoram and Assam today met at Lailapur in Cachar District of Assam to discuss measures to de-escalate the recent border row and the clashes which followed. The meeting of the two Home Secretaries dwelt on four major issues and both of them agreed that no steps would be taken in the disputed areas without mutual consultations, consent and agreements of both governments.

Replying to the suggestion of Assam Home Secretary to withdraw police forces from the area, Mizoram Home Secretary, Pi Lalbiaksangi answered that taking into account the safety of the residents of Mizoram, the police forces would be deployed by the Government till the situation returns back to normalcy. She added that in the best interests of both states, the two state governments and authorities must mutually agree to, and consult each other before taking any kind of steps in the disputed areas. She pointed that there were no reports at all, of any incidents targeting non-Mizo drivers within Mizoram. In fact, drivers stranded due to the blockade were helped by the YMA, she added.

Shri GD Tripathi, Commissioner & Secretary (Home & Border), Government of Assam suggested that to further cordial relations between the two border Districts, meetings at the Deputy Commissioner Level and other levels be held regularly. He mentioned that the Assam Government was very open to cooperation in the border areas with respect to Covid-19 containment and mitigation.

The meeting expressed its concerns on rumours and fake news related to the incident which surfaced on social media and electronic media discussed these matters. The meeting agreed that withdrawal of police forces would be taken up once vehicular traffic and the current situation return back to normal.

Another meeting between the officials and both state governments and the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Satyendra Garg is scheduled later today at Silchar.