WITHDRAW ECONOMIC BLOCKADE OF MIZORAM IMMEDIATELY | Axom Citizens Forum

Guwahati, 7 August:

We are greatly disturbed by the recent incident of violence in the Assam-Mizoram border. It is surprising that the state machineries of two states of the same country can indulge in such kind of a clash. It defies all logic and principles of civilised governance. This clash resulted in the death of six Assam Police personnel and one civilian. We mourn their death and condemn it outrightly. That the situation took such an ugly turn is also a reflection on the Government of India and its inefficiency and indifference in solving the problem.It is a failure on the part of the Centre that it couldn’t stop the escalation of violence at the border between the security forces of two neighbouring states.

Following the clash all vehicles carrying supplies, life-saving drugs and even COVID vaccines to Mizoram are being stopped at the border, which has created a dire scarcity of supplies in Mizoram. Till date the Government of Assam and Government of India haven’t done anything to remove the blockade. This is a matter of grave concern for all of us.

The Assam-Mizoram border dispute must be resolved through a process of negotiations, taking all the stakeholders into confidence. Economic blockade is no solution. We appeal to all concerned that the economic blockade should be withdrawn immediately and free flow of supplies ensured so that common people in Mizoram don’t suffer.

Border disputes among the states in the Northeast has become a recurring thing. To resolve it we must view it in its historical perspective and colonial legacy. We must also be sympathetic and considerate to all the sides affected by it. Each state in the Northeast has its distinctive culture. We have differences, but we also have common cultural threads and a shared past. We must resolve our differences and disputes through negotiations and mutual understanding without undermining each other’s interest. If we fail to do that the so called mainstream India may intervene in our disputes and try to coerce us through their domineering tactics and interfere with our autonomy. Such tell-tale signs are already there.

We belong to India and we uphold the true spirit of federalism. But under no circumstances we should surrender our autonomy for which mutual trust, solidarity and understanding among us is an imperative.

Harekrishna Deka,President,
Ajit Kumar Bhuyan,Executive President,
Prasanta Rajguru Vice-president
Paresh Malakar, General Secretary
AXOM NAGARIK SAMAJ

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Axom Nagarik Samaj organised a meeting on 07/08/2021 at a hall in the Mondovi apartment, opposite Rabindra Bhawan, Guwahati, Assam. The meeting was attended by about 25 people drawn from different walks of our society. It had a threadbare discussion on the incident at the Assam-Mizoram border. After the meeting a statement was released unanimously in the name of the office bearers of the ANS.

The picture shows Haliram Terang, Maini Mahanta,Paresh Malakar, Indranee Dutta and Santanu Borthakur (from left to right)