Newly-appointed Governor Brig (Retd) BD Mishra has urged both Mizoram and Assam to avoid any violent conflict involving the state forces over the border dispute.
Governor, who has taken over as the Mizoram Governor in addition to his responsibility as Arunachal Pradesh Governor, advocated routine engagement of district officials on either side to establish a conducive atmosphere for a lasting solution, an official in Raj Bhavan said on Friday.
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During an interaction with top officials of home, health and PWD departments here on Thursday, Mishra said both Mizoram and Assam should maintain calmness, the official said.
“No bullets should ever be fired again in connection with the border dispute. Both the state should avoid violent conflicts involving the state forces at any cost,” Mishra was quoted as saying by the official.
Also read: Arunachal Pradesh Governor BD Mishra takes additional charge of Mizoram
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The Governor suggested routine engagement of deputy commissioners and SPs from both sides should be arranged as frequently as possible to set a conducive atmosphere for higher-level talks in order to resolve the long-pending border dispute, he said.
The border dispute between Assam and Mizoram escalated on July 26 after skirmishes between forces of both the neighbouring states.
At least seven people, including six policemen from Assam, lost their lives and more than 60 people injured on both sides in the violent clashes that took place at a contentious border point between Vairengte in Mizoram’s Kolasib district and Lailapur in Assam’s Cachar district.
The violent clash enraged locals of Lailapur, who staged an economic blockade on National Highway-306, the lifeline of Mizoram, disrupting all supplies to the hilly state.
The blockade was lifted on August 7 around 9 pm after 12 days.
According to a ministerial-level meet held on August 5 in Aizawl, both states agreed to amicably resolve the long-pending border dispute through dialogues.
Mishra, who was also briefed on the Covid19 scenario of the state, expressed his confidence in the success of the all-out effort made by the Government of Mizoram on containing the pandemic, the official said.
The Governor, however, advised the health department to keep on improving the stocks of oxygen and Covid19 treatment medicines and equipment, dedicated Covid19 hospitals and vaccination along with intensification of Covid Appropriate Behavior, he said.
Mishra also spoke at length on the importance of completing the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) at the earliest.
The project, he said, would provide the gateway for the Northeast region for access to cheaper goods and commodities and also served as an alternate lifeline for Mizoram other than NH-306.