Mizoram to ask Assam to remove structures from disputed land


AIZAWL, Aug 11: The Mizoram Government will ask the Assam Government to demolish all “illegal structures” along the inter-State border. An official said today that the Deputy Commissioner of Kolasib district has been directed to hold talks with Assam’s Hailakandi district Deputy Commissioner on the border issue and ask him to remove all “illegal structures” built by Assam at Zophai 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 the meeting agreed to ask the State Home department to take measure for the demolition of the illegal structures along the Mizoram-Assam border. 

The Core Committee meeting also agreed to ask the Assam Government to demolish the alleged illegal structures at Zophai, he added. The three 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 near Bairabi town of Kolasib district along the Mizoram-Assam border in March last year when functionaries of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) attempted to construct a resting shed there. Meanwhile, MZP president L Ramdinliana Renthlei said there is no reason the student body should not construct a resting shed at Zophai as the “area belongs to Mizoram”. 

The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has also asked the State Government to take measures 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 and prevent further “encroachment”. ~NEWMAI NEWS

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