On Assam and Mizoram state boundary issue

Shillong, 30th July 2021

Statement from North East Dialogue Forum

NEDF is deeply shock to hear the loss of lives during the violent conflict between Assam and Mizoram on the issue related to border land. The violent conflict between the two states escalated to unprecedented levels on 26th July 2021, as firing on the inter-state boundary left at least five Assam policemen dead and over 50 individuals injured. The question is how many widows and children of the single parents are going to create by the state.

Mizoram borders Assam’s Barak Valley, and both border Bangladesh. The boundary between the two states, which runs 165 km today, has a history dating back to the time when Mizoram was a district of Assam and known as Lushai Hills. Boundary demarcations in 1875 and 1933, particularly the second one, are at the heart of the dispute.

On the same day, there was also conflict between the Meghalaya and Assam police and Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. On 24 July there was high level meeting of the political leaders of Centre and North East States in India in Shillong. On 25 July 21 there was a statement made by a senior most leader of the security forces with the concern on the security situation in the NE India.

The lives of the villagers inhabited at the border of both the states are in constant fear with insecurity. There are many aged persons, children and women in these villages. This interstate boundary issue is taking many lives before which are violation of Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Indian Constitution. Further such act of violence or allowing such act of violent to be occurred are the violation of the guide line of Un Special Procedure of Violence Against Women , its courses and consequences , UN Committee on Child Right.

Why our states are fail to protect the Article 21 of the constitution of India? Why state forces are part of violent conflict rather they should be part of solution? But it works other way around. Using such interstate boundary issue as an instrument to create conflict as and when require should be immediately stop by all party and state.

Adding insult to injury, apparently, economic blockade to Mizoram has started as well, rail transport is cut off so a sort of economic sanctions of one Indian State to another, is taking place, as per reports. Highways and Indian Railways don't belong to one particular Indian State and therefore, such acts should not have been resorted to.

Recommendation for early action:

1. Urge to invite the delegation of National Human Right Commission to investigate the ground reality of violence occurred between Mizoram and Assam, Meghalaya and Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. And further request to NHRC to include this report of the fact finding mission in the report to UN Human Right Council in September and October 2021.

2. Urge to establish an Independent Commission on Inter State boundary in the NE I to inquire the issue systematically and develop a report with recommendation which can be done in a time bound. The serious attention should be given on public consultation at all level.

3. Urge to communicate with the DGP of Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh to register FIR of these cases of violent and request DGP to take a team of Forensic experts to the spot where violent occurred between Mizoram and Assam for scientific study of using fired arms.

4. Urge to invite the UN Expert on Ethnic Cleansing to visit all the states in North East India to witness the ethnic cleansing as an instrument to divide the ethnicity and seek recommendation for effective action.

5. Humbly urge to the Hon’ble CM of Assam to allow the food, medicine, and other essential items to be transported to Mizoram at the earliest by lifting economic blockade in order to avoid violation Right to Food.

(Dr. P. B. M. Basaiawmoit)
Consultant
(Anthony Debbarma)
Member
North East Dialogue Forum