Two days after clashes on the Assam-Mizoram border left seven people dead on the Assam side, both states have agreed in principle to withdraw troops from the disputed site, even as modalities are still being worked out.
While Assam has withdrawn its troops, Mizoram Police has not only continued to hold its position but also reinforced its posts, sources said on Wednesday.
At North Block, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a meeting of more than two hours with chief secretaries and DGPs of both states in an effort to ease the tension.
Both states agreed for “deployment of a neutral force” — the CRPF, in this instance — in the disturbed area along NH-306, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement after the meeting. “Both governments also agreed to continue discussions mutually to resolve the border issue in an amicable manner,” it added.
Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah said withdrawal of forces was still being worked out. Asked whether Mizoram had agreed to withdraw its forces, Baruah said, “It is being worked out.”
His Mizoram counterpart, Nunamwia Chuaungo, said, “We all are trying to maintain peace. There is no need for violence. The forces are being withdrawn.”
Sources, however, said the situation remains tense on the border between Lailapur in Assam and Mizoram's Vairengte.
“Mizoram Police has not only refused to withdraw but even reinforced its positions in the last couple of days,” an MHA official said….
