Correspondent
Mizoram-Across-the-Border Battle: The Fight for Inner Line Forest Territory.
The border dispute primarily involves three districts of Mizoram, namely Aizawl, Kolasib, and Mamit, and three districts of Assam, which are Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj. The disputed stretch spans approximately 164.6 kilometers. Mizoram officially submitted its claim to Assam in February, and it is currently awaiting a response. The timing for the next round of border talks between the two states has yet to be determined.
In order to find a resolution to this longstanding dispute, Mizoram and Assam have engaged in ministerial-level talks and virtual meetings. The conflict between the two states escalated in July 2021, resulting in casualties and injuries. As a result, high-level delegation talks began in August 2021, with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable solution.
During the most recent border talks in November 2022, both delegations reached an agreement that Mizoram would provide a comprehensive list of villages within three months. This list would include information about the areas, geographic extents, and ethnicities of the residents in order to support Mizoram's claim. Regional committees from both Mizoram and Assam will assess the details provided by Mizoram to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
To further address the border issue, Mizoram established a study group in January, which worked towards formulating a comprehensive claim. The claim was subsequently submitted to Assam the following month. Additionally, the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, and the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, have met twice in New Delhi to discuss and seek a mutually agreeable solution to the border dispute.
The efforts of both Mizoram and Assam indicate a commitment to resolving the border dispute through peaceful means and dialogue. The comprehensive list of villages and the subsequent assessment by regional committees are expected to play a crucial role in finding a fair and lasting resolution to the longstanding issue.