Inter-State boundary dispute Mizoram to ask Assam to stay clear

Newmai News Network
AIZAWL, Aug 11 : The Mizoram Government will ask Assam Government to demolish all "illegal structures" along the inter-State border.
An official said on Sunday that the Deputy Commissioner of Kolasib district has been directed to hold talks with Assam's Hailakandi district Deputy Commissioner on border issue and ask him to remove all "illegal structures" built by Assam at Zophai area on the disputed land. The Mizoram Government's directive came after the meeting of the Core Committee held on Thursday, he said.
The meeting observed that "illegal structures", including a Mosque, shops and a building have been newly constructed by Assam at Zophai despite the Centre's directive to maintain status quo, the official said.  He further said that the meeting agreed to ask State Home Department to take measures for demolition of the illegal structures along the Mizoram-Assam border.
The Core Committee meeting also agreed to ask Assam Government to demolish the alleged illegal structures at Zophai area, he added.
The three Mizoram's districts of Kolasib, Aizawl and Mamit share a 64.6 km long border with south Assam's Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts.
Border standoff took place at Zophai area near Bairabi town of Kolasib district along the Mizoram-Assam border in March last year when functionaries of Mizo Zirlai Pâwl (MZP) attempted to construct a resting shed there.
Meanwhile, MZP president L Ramdinliana Renthlei said that there is no reason the student body should not construct a resting shed at Zophai as the "area belongs to Mizoram".
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) has also asked the State Government as per the decision of the Core Committee.
It asked the Home Department to take immediate measures to remove "illegal structures" along the State's border with Assam and deploy police to protect farmers and owners of paddy fields at Zophai area and prevent further "encroachment".