A high-level delegation from Mizoram arrived in Guwahati on Thursday to participate in critical discussions with Assam over the protracted border dispute between the two neighbouring states.
Led by State Home Secretary Vanlalmawia, the seven-member delegation comprises senior personnel from the Home Department and members of the study group constituted to examine the contentious boundary issue.
According to officials, the talks scheduled for Friday are aimed at resolving technical and administrative matters in advance of a potential round of ministerial negotiations. “We want all outstanding matters and procedural frameworks to be finalised during the official-level talks to ensure fruitful deliberations during the political negotiations,” a senior Mizoram Home Department official told The Assam Tribune.
The delegation includes Additional Secretary Andrew H Vanlaldika, Joint Secretary PC Lalduhthlanga, and Officer on Special Duty C Lalfakmawia. They are accompanied by three experts from the state-appointed border study group: Joseph K. Lalfakzuala, assistant professor of political science at Government T Romana College and group convener; Lalthiamsanga Sailo, DIG (Armed) and member secretary; and C Vanlalengkima, a scientist from the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC).
The official-level dialogue comes as a follow-up to the fourth round of ministerial talks held in Aizawl on 9 August 2024, where Mizoram was represented by Home Minister K Sapdanga and Assam by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora.
Despite multiple confrontations along the disputed 123-kilometre boundary, it was the deadly clash on 26 July 2021 — which claimed the lives of five Assam Police personnel — that proved to be a turning point in the dispute. The incident led to renewed efforts from both sides to resolve the matter through dialogue.
Following the clash, Assam's Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora led a peace delegation to Aizawl in August 2021. Since then, four rounds of official talks have taken place — three in Aizawl and one in Guwahati. At the national level, discussions were also held in Delhi between the then Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, facilitated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The current round of discussions is being seen as a crucial step towards establishing the foundation for a durable solution to one of the North-East’s most enduring and sensitive inter-state disputes.
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