Traffic movement between Mizoram and Assam continues to go smooth as over 600 vehicles entered Mizoram from the neighbouring state after the economic blockade on NH-306 was lifted on August 7, an official said on Monday.
Locals of Dholai-Lailapur area in Assam’s Cachar district bordering Mizoram imposed an economic blockade on NH-306, which is Mizoram’s lifeline, putting a complete halt on supplies after July 26 clash in which 7 people, including six policemen from Assam, died and more than 60 people from both sides were injured.
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The blockade was lifted on August 9 at around 9 pm after the intervention of the Assam government and other organisations.
Kolasib deputy commissioner H. Lalthlangliana said as many as 644 vehicles, mostly carrying goods, have entered Mizoram from Assam via NH-306 after the lifting of the blockade on Saturday night till 6 pm on Monday.
Some vehicles carrying passengers have also entered, he said.
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Train, however, is yet to enter the state from Assam, he said.
Speaking to reporters in Kolasib town on Monday, Lalthlangliana said the border issue is completely an affair between two state governments and it is not a dispute between the Mizos and non-Mizos or Assamese.
He urged the people of Mizoram to refrain from any anti-social activities which could tarnish the reputation of the state.
Lalthlangliana further urged the people to welcome and show hospitality to drivers or vehicles, which came from other states and not to create any trouble against non-tribal or Assam residents living in the state.
He expressed hope that traffic movement between the two states will continue smoothly.
Meanwhile, 18 farmers belonging to the border town of Vairengte, who practice plantations at Aitlang area, where the border standoff flared up on June 29, on Monday wrote to chief minister Zoramthanga.
They sought the Mizoram CM’s intervention to take them back and protect their lands allegedly taken over by encroachers and police force from the neighbouring state.
The farmers claimed they have been practicing various cultivations, including betel nuts, broomsticks and vegetables in their lands for more than 50 years now.
They alleged that they were afraid of going to their fields as Assam police personnel are currently camping there.
Mizoram shares about 164.6 km long inter-state border with Assam.
Both the state governments have recently agreed to maintain peace and find an amicable solution to the boundary dispute through peaceful dialogue.
While Mizoram claimed the 509 square miles stretch of the inner line reserve forest notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (1873) in 1875 belong to it and is the actual boundary between Mizoram and Assam, the latter said the demarcation which was made based on the 1933 notification is its constitutional boundary.