Mizoram, 9th November: Mizoram would partly withdraw a section of its forces from the disputed borders with Assam and the Border Security Forces (BSF) would replace them. The blockade on National Highway-306 on the Assam side will also be lifted. This decision was declared by Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, Chief Secretary of Mizoram.
Chuaungo told the reporters that he had a meeting with the with his Assam counterpart under the leadership of Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla via video conference on Sunday. It was in the meeting that the decision was taken. The Chief Secretary said that traffic movement of Assam is likely to resume from Monday.
According to Chuaungo, the main agenda of the meeting revolved around finding a short term solution – withdrawal of forces and lifting of the blockade. He said, “We will pull out a part of our forces to deploy BSF personnel in the disputed areas. The blockade in Assam will also be lifted and traffic movement is likely to resume on Sunday evening or Monday“.
He also said that three companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have arrived in the state on Saturday and one company and two platoons of BSF will be deployed at Vairengte, two platoons at Saihapui ”V” village in Kolasib district and one company at Thinghlun village in the Mamit district. One section of the state forces will, however, be continued to be deployed on the disputed areas to maintain peace among the Mizo people.
Demanding the withdrawal of Mizoram forces from what they claimed as Assam’s territory, the residents of Lailapur village and nearby areas in Assam Cachar district borders are on an economic blockade since October 28, said the officials. However, Mizoram refused to budge, claiming that state forces are deployed within its territory.
