Guwahati: Two days of negotiations to settle border concerns would begin on August 9 between Assam and Mizoram government representatives, including state ministers, officials said.
A five-person delegation led by the minister for border protection and Development Minister Atul Bora will visit Mizoram and will speak with their counterparts about matters relating to the inter-state boundary dispute, according to officials.
Reportedly, Bora would travel with Assam Housing and Urban Minister Ashok Singhal and three other government representatives, including Secretary GD Tripathy and the Assam Border Protection and Development Commissioner.
As per the officials, the Assam delegation would address inter-state border concerns with Mizoram government.
The Mizoram squad will be led by Home Minister Lalchamliana.
Reportedly, the 164.6 km-long border between Mizoram and Assam has experienced multiple flare-ups in recent years.
Moreover, the long-running border dispute between the two northeastern states was mostly caused by two colonial demarcations in 1875 and 1933.
The demarcation established by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BERF), which was notified in 1875 and included large areas that are currently part of Assam, was accepted by Mizoram as its legal border.
However, the Assam government officials claimed that the demarcation made in accordance with the 1933 announcement was its constitutional border.
As per reports, in a fight that occurred in a disputed area close to the border between the two states last year, at least six Assamese policemen and a civilian killed and about 60 people were hurt.
Talks between the two states’ representatives took place in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, in August of last year.
Moreover, they consented to uphold tranquilly and negotiate a peaceful settlement of the interstate boundary dispute.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a press conference on July 16 stated that Bora would shortly visit the neighbouring state and intended to start the talks as soon as possible.