The governments of Mizoram and Assam today agreed to maintain status quo in the disputed border area of Kolasib-Hailakandi districts following a visit by officials of both the states and the Centre, a Mizoram official said.
"A spot verification was conducted today by officials of both the neighbouring states under the supervision of Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary (North East) Satyendra Garg," Mizoram Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama told PTI.
Lalbiakzama was among the officials who conducted the verification.
The border separating Hailkandi of Assam and Kolasib of Mizoram witnessed violence early this month when members of a Mizoram students' body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl, tried to construct a rest house on NH 154. The Assam Police had resorted to lathicharge, and several students and journalists were injured in the incident.
It was decided at a meeting of the officials of the two states and the Centre that both states would maintain status quo, dismantle illegal structures, withdraw forces to restore peace and normalcy to resolve the dispute amicably, an Assam government release said in Hailakandi.
Lalbiakzama said a joint verification team would be set up comprising representatives of both the states under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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As the areas along the inter-state border fall in Inner Line reserved forests, the team must first identify all illegal structures after which the process of dismantling will begin by April 30, the release said.
The meeting also decided that to usher in peace and normalcy, both the states would withdraw their respective security forces by this evening, the release said.
The officials from Mizoram were headed by Home Secretary Lalrinliana Fanai and the Assam officials were headed by the principal secretary for home.
The central team will submit its report to the Union Home Secretary on April 5 after which it will be discussed in a follow up meeting with the chief secretaries of the two states, the release said.
Talks had earlier held between the chief secretaries in New Delhi on March 20.
Official sources said the Centre also proposed to hold talks between the home ministers of the two states as also between the two chief ministers.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in response to a letter from Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, had initiated talks between the two states to defuse the tension.
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