AIZAWL: Border disputes among the North Eastern states have been, to some extent, responsible for creating differences between two groups of people across the borders or misunderstandings between two neighbouring governments even to the degree of exchange of fire between security forces of the tneighbouring states.
Border disputes exist between Meghalaya and Assam, Assam and Nagaland, Manipur and Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and the latest to be added to the list is the growing acrimony between Mizoram and Assam over the boundary issue.
Tension prevails in the Assam-Mizoram border since last week following the allegation hurled by the powerful Zoram National Party (ZNP) of Mizoram that Assam was trying to grab the land of Mizoram.
What added fuel to the tension was Friday’s incident where a border pillar was found dismantled at a place called Dhalai in southern Assam.
The villagers in Assam alleged that people from Mizoram side came and destroyed the pillar. However, people residing in the Mizoram side counter alleged that a pillar was erected near Vairengte in Mizoram by authorities from Assam side claiming the land as their own.
Meanwhile, Mizo People’s Convention (MPC) president Lalhmangaiha Sailo said the dispute can be settled by constituting a boundary commission that will hold negotiation with the concerned higher authority.
A similar demand has also been pouring from the Meghalaya government for constitution of a boundary commission to settle the almost 40-year-old boundary dispute between the two states. However, the same has been dismissed by the Assam government.
Langpih village in West Khasi Hills district of meghalaya has been the subject of a long-running dispute between the two neighbouring states, with each side laying claims and counter claims of ownership of the disputed territory.
Documents reveal that the British annexed the village to Assam’s Kamrup district, but after Independence it was assigned to Meghalaya. The Meghalaya government claims that Assam’s 1951 demarcation shows the area as part of a district in what would later become a part of Meghalaya.
However, in 1972, a new demarcation by the Assam government showed the area as part of Assam.
There are as many as 12 areas of differences between Meghalaya and Assam.
Besides, the border dispute Manipur and Nagaland over Jessami in Ukhrul district is yet to be solved. Clashes of villagers from both the sides have been happening from time to time. The latest incident of violence in the Nagaland-Manipur border occurred as recent as a month ago.
The Nagaland-Assam border dispute at Merapani area has also been a cause for worry. Burning of houses and even killings have been occurring occasionally with no solution in sight. (Agencies)