Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], August 9 (HBTV): The Assam and Mizoram governments on Friday agreed to maintain peace and harmony and prevent any untoward incidents along the inter-state border of the two neighboring states. 

A delegation from Assam, led by Minister of Border Protection and Development Department Atul Bora, met with Mizoram's Home Minister K Sapdanga and Minister of Land, Revenue, and Settlement B Lalchhanzova in Aizawl on Friday. The meeting aimed to resolve the longstanding Assam-Mizoram inter-state border issues amicably.   

Following the meeting, a joint statement was signed between both state governments represented by Mizoram Home Minister K Sapdanga and Assam Border Protection & Development Minister Atul Bora. 

In the joint statement signed by K Sapdanga and Atul Bora said that it is reaffirmed that the 'Goodwill Mission' between the Government of Mizoram and the Government of Assam held on August 9, 2024, at Aizawl, Mizoram is to take forward the firm commitment and initiative made in the meeting on February 9 between the Chief Minister of Assam and Chief Minister of Mizoram for resolution of the inter-state boundary dispute in an atmosphere of understanding and goodwill between the two states. 

"Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of both states shall continue to have regular meetings to promote peace and harmony along the inter-state border. Such meetings may be held virtually every month and in person, every six months," said the joint statement.

"Both the states agreed to continue to promote and maintain peace and harmony and prevent any untoward incidents along the inter-state border. Joint Cultural and Sports festivals may be organized at frequent intervals by concerned administrative authorities of the inter-state border districts of Mizoram and Assam to start before 31 January 2025," said the joint statement. 

Both states reaffirmed the decisions of the joint statements of all the previous meetings to arrive at an amicable resolution on the vexed border issues.

"It has been decided that all pending discussions and decisions to be made on the issue and other connected matters shall be taken up by officials of both the State Governments. This will be followed by a series of meetings to be held at venues decided by both officials. It was further decided that the next Ministerial level meeting will take place in Guwahati, Assam before 31 March 2025," the joint statement further said.

It further stated that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue a sustained zero-tolerance policy against the transportation of smuggled areca nut from other countries.

"The delegations jointly agreed that the cooperation of the people living on both sides of the states is extremely crucial for a peaceful solution of border disputes. The general public and all stakeholders are expected to bring any differences on border issues to the appropriate authorities without taking the law into their own hands," said the joint statement. 

(ANI)