MHA, govts of Assam, Mizoram agree on deployment of neutral central force along disturbed border

The neutral force will be commanded by a senior officer of the CAPF

With simmering tension along the Assam-Mizoram border, the Centre on Wednesday decided to deploy a neutral central paramilitary force to guard the region where five Assam Police officials and a civilian were killed in violent clashes recently.

The decision to deploy central paramilitary forces at the disturbed inter-state border along National Highway 306 was taken at a meeting of top officials from Assam and Mizoram summoned by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.

The two-hour meeting chaired by Bhalla at the North Block in Delhi was attended by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah and Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and their respective Mizoram counterparts Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and SBK Singh.

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The home secretary also conveyed to the delegations of Assam and Mizoram that the two governments should continue discussions mutually to resolve the border issue in an amicable manner, the officials said.

Later, talking to reporters, the Mizoram chief secretary said the situation along the interstate border was currently peaceful and it was agreed in the meeting that everyone will try to maintain peace and there was no point in indulging in violence.

State forces were being withdrawn from the disputed area, he said.

The Assam chief secretary said the CAPF will take over the responsibility of the inter-state border.

The objective of the meeting was to lower the tension, bring peace and possibly find a solution, a home ministry official said.

The Director General of CRPF also attended the meeting as the personnel of the paramilitary force have currently been deployed in the Assam-Mizoram border areas where tension is high, the official said.