The Mizoram government, led by the ZPM (Zoram People’s Movement) party, has established a fresh boundary committee to manage issues related to the ongoing border dispute with Assam, announced a home department official on Friday, according to a PTI report.
The newly formed committee is under the leadership of Home Minister K Sapdanga, with Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Lalthansanga serving as the vice-chairman, as per an official notification. H Lalengmawia, Home Commissioner and Secretary has been appointed as the member secretary.
Additional members of the committee include Lalmuanpuia Punte, political advisor to the Chief Minister; Chief Secretary Renu Sharma; Director General of Police (DGP) Anil Shukla; and Joseph K Lalfakzuala, an assistant professor at state-run T Romana College.
Representatives from various political parties, including BJP, Congress, MNF (Mizo National Front), ZPM, AAP (Aam Aadmi Party), and members from NGO Coordination Committee, CYMA (Central Young Mizo Association), MZP (Mizo Zirlai Pawl), MUP (Mizoram Upa Pawl), MHIP (Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl), MSU (Mizo Students’ Union), and Joint Action Committee on Inner Line Reserve Forest Demand are also part of the committee.
The notification empowers the committee chairman, Sapdanga, to invite any necessary persons to its meetings. With the formation of this new committee, the previous boundary panel established by the MNF (Mizo National Front) government stands dissolved.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma of Mizoram is anticipated to meet Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma later this month to discuss the longstanding border issues between the two states. The discussion is expected to take place during the North Eastern Council (NEC) plenary session scheduled for January 19 in Shillong, Meghalaya. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the NEC session.
The Mizoram-Assam border, spanning 164.6 km, has been a site of contention between the two states. In July 2021, a violent clash resulted in the death of six policemen and a civilian from Assam, with over 60 people sustaining injuries. Subsequent talks aimed at maintaining peace and resolving the dispute through dialogue have taken place, with the underlying issue stemming from colonial demarcations in 1875 and 1933.
As per the PTI report, Mizoram contends that a 509 square mile area designated as the inner line reserved forest falls within its territory under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873. Meanwhile, Assam regards the 1933 Survey of India map as its constitutional boundary, leading to conflicting territorial claims. The absence of ground demarcation adds complexity to the border situation.