Guwahati: The Government of Assam and Nagaland vowed to adopt ‘mutually reciprocating approach’ to carry forward constant dialogue and people-to-people contact towards solving all outstanding issues between the two states including the vexed boundary row.
In a chief minister level meeting held between the two neighbouring states at the convention centre at Kohora in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), both the states resolved to work in close cooperation for controlling cross-border crimes, prevent settlements of suspect national along both sides of the inter-state boundary. The vexed border disputes have so far triggered violence in border areas on many occasions in the past that has strained the people-to-people relations.
The two states resolved to work towards development of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest like action against rhino poaching, intelligence sharing on extremist activities, crime control in border areas of both states.
Both the chief ministers also agreed that security forces on both sides of the border need to be extra cautious due to threats from extremist groups and that intelligence inputs should be shared between the states through a structured mechanism.
The meeting between chief minister of Assam and Nagaland Sarbananda Sonowal and T. R. Zeliang agreed that dialogue, not disenchantment, should be way forward for the maintenance of peace and harmony along the border of both the states.
Sonowal said “Both Assam and Nagaland share a common goal towards people centric development and we need to work together for mutual growth. We need to work together to find out lasting solutions in the areas of illegal migration, ensure security to the life of people of both the states and facilitate cultural and sporting exchanges”.
Chief Minister Sonowal also advocated for constituting committees comprising MPs, MLAs and local people to undertake frequent visits to six districts of Assam sharing boundary with Nagaland to facilitate confidence building measures and strengthen mutual trust.
In course of discussion, Sonowal said, “We will work jointly to project Northeast as a hub of possibilities, potentials and prosperity and position it in the pan Indian contour showcasing its unmatched beauty in sectors of tourism, culture, forest and environment.”
Appreciating the gesture of Sonowal, Zeliang said, “The meeting will help both the states projecting themselves together as a tourist hotspot.”
He also invited his counterpart to Nagaland during the forthcoming Hornbill Festival and send cultural troops to Nagaland, to which Sonowal agreed.
He also said creation of a congenial atmosphere to initiate confidence building measures among the people from both the states perhaps would be more beneficial than the Supreme Court ruling on the border issue.
