1.5 km of Assam area encroached by Mizoram, asserts Parimal Suklabaidya

Nov. 5: Tension along the Assam-Mizoram borders of Cachar and Karimganj district went on unabated as Mizo forces have been occupying forest lands in Assam for over three weeks now. Reacting to this, Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya on Thursday said that till date, about 1.5 km of land has been occupied by Mizoram near Assam-Mizoram border.

However, inspite of repeated negotiations between the two states, no amicable settlement could be arrived at. Meanwhile, central armed forces have been moved and reached Silchar on Thursday. As per sources, the armed forces would be deployed along the Assam-Mizoram bordering areas of Lailapur and Medlichara in Cachar and Karimganj district respectively.

Jishnu Barua, who came to Silchar on Wednesday on his maiden visit just after becoming the Chief Secretary said the Government of Assam is ‘absolutely clear’ as to the constitutional boundary of Assam and that is clearly defined by the Mizoram Act of 1986 when Mizoram was carved out of Assam. “We are absolutely clear as to our constitutional boundary is. And that is clearly defined by the Mizoram Act of 1986 when Mizoram was created. No one had any doubts as to what was the constitutional boundary. Our official stand is that the constitutional boundary of Assam is sacrosanct and we will stick to that.” In the same breathe, the Chief Secretary said certain elements, some non-State players are playing a major part in stoking the fire of differences and disputes.