Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the rising volume of unregulated cross-border trade taking place at Zochachhuah in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram, along the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMMTT) project corridor linking India and Myanmar.
Speaking in the State Legislative Assembly, Lalduhoma said the situation has become increasingly sensitive as the KMMTT project road beyond the border lies within Myanmar territory that is currently under control of the Arakan Army.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the insurgent group has so far maintained cordial relations with the Mizoram Government, as it is also interested in the early completion of the connectivity project. The corridor is expected to connect Lawngtlai town in Mizoram with Paletwa township in Myanmar’s Chin State.
However, Lalduhoma expressed concern over the sharp increase in informal business activities across the border at Zochachhuah, involving a large number of traders from both Mizoram and Myanmar.
He said the trade currently taking place in the area has no official recognition and that the state Government has limited authority to intervene due to the absence of a formal regulatory framework.
“Large quantities of goods from Aizawl and other parts of Mizoram are continuously being transported to the Myanmar border, resulting in the expansion of unofficial trading activities in the area,” the Chief Minister said.
He cautioned that the situation could become difficult to control, particularly as the Myanmar Government presently has no administrative authority in the region.
Lalduhoma also raised concern over the increasing number of people entering Lawngtlai district from Myanmar through the Zochachhuah entry point.
He said the state Government has already alerted the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Lawngtlai district, as well as Assam Rifles personnel deployed along the border.
In addition, the government has held consultations with civil society organisations in the district to assess the challenges emerging from cross-border movement and trading activities.
Highlighting the importance of preparing for the future, Lalduhoma said the state Government has constituted an impact study team headed by ZPM legislator T Lalhlimpuia to examine the possible implications of the KMMTT project once it becomes fully operational.
The team has already submitted an interim report, and further steps, including measures to address the issue of unregulated border trade will be taken after the final report is received, Lalduhoma said.