All NGOs and political parties of Mizoram on Saturday unanimously resolved to rebuild the rest shed at the disputed Zophai in Kolasib district bordering Assam.
The meeting unanimously declared a joint resolution that “building a rest shed called Zofate Chawlhbuk is in the best interest of Mizoram and the Mizo people and all out effort should be made to build it at the paddy field of Ch Chhunga, the first chief minister of Mizoram.”
The joint meeting also resolved that the only boundary since time immemorial was the pillar erected under the provisions of the 1875 Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, and that there was no other official boundary between Mizoram and Assam.
Speaking on the occasion L Ramdinliana Renthlei, the president of Mizo Zirlai Pawl thanked all the NGOs and the political parties for shedding their vested interests for the sake of Mizoram.
“The MZP has appealed to all political parties, irrespective of their ideologies to accept the urgent need to protect the boundary of Mizoram, they have decided to leave their ideologies behind for Mizoram’s sake,” L Ramdinliana Renthlei said.
The meeting condemned the brutal force used by the Assam Police on March 8 & 10 and demanded an action be taken against Hailakandi district magistrate who issued firing order to disperse Mizo students.
“It was a sad event, the protesting students were lathi charged like enemies, not only the students, the Assam Police went on to beat even journalists, the district magistrate who ordered such atrocities should be firmly dealt with,” the meeting resolved.
The meeting also resolved that an expert committee on boundary be formed by the Mizoram government.
On February 27, 2018 volunteers of Mizo Zirlai Pawl build a rest shed near the paddy field of Ch Chhunga, the first chief minister of Mizoram, the land which was donated to the student body by the wife of the late chief minister. Tension arose after the Assam Police dismantled the building which the student body vowed to rebuild it. On March 10, more than 50 student volunteers were fired upon by the Assam Police and lathi charged them, in the process eight Mizo journalists including two female journalists were injured.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had appealed to both the chief secretaries of the two states for calm and maintained status quo along the border on March 20 meeting in New Delhi.