Amidst the constant negotiations between the two northeastern states to amicably resolve the contentious border row, the Mizoram police alleged that Assam police personnel have erected two makeshift huts along the disputed Zophai area.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kolasib – Vanlalfaka Ralte told PTI that the Assam police constructed two temporary huts along Zophai area on October 2, just opposite to Mizoram’s first chief Minister Ch Chhunga’s paddy field where a border confrontation had occurred in 2018.
“The huts were, however, dismantled on Monday by the Assam police itself,” he claimed.
The tension in the area, due to the construction of these huts dissipated after the huts were demolished. The area is contiguous to Assam’s Hailakandi district.
Besides, the Assam police dismantled the two huts after Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and state Home Minister Lalchamliana spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also its home minister; as informed by the SP.
However, the Assam officials claimed that they were unaware about the region been under dispute.
Its worthy to note that Mizoram shares a 164.6-km long boundary with Assam, which has witnessed disputes in the recent years. The decades-old boundary dispute between the two northeastern states mainly erupted from two colonial demarcations in 1875 and 1933.
Mizoram recognized the demarcation established under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BERF) notified in 1875, which covers extensive areas, that currently falls under Assam. However, the Assam administration pointed-out the 1933 notification’s delineation which falls within constitutional bounds.
Atleast six policemen and a civilian from Assam died in 2021, while nearly 60 people were injured in an altercation that occurred at a disputed location, adjacent to the inter-state border. In August 2021, the representatives of both states had held talks in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl.
Following the tragic incident, both the state governments consented to uphold tranquilly and negotiate a peaceful settlement of the interstate boundary dispute.
