Assam-Mizoram border dispute:
Why in news?
Recently in the month of July 2021 border dispute between the two neighbouring states Assam –Mizorum has cropped up again, with both accusing each other of encroaching on their respective territories.
What is the immediate cause for the clashes?
As per the Mizoram side, people from Assam have violated the status quo – as agreed upon between the two State governments a few years ago – in “no man’s land” to trigger the present crisis.
What are the reasons for the dispute?
- During colonial times, Mizoram was known as Lushai Hills, a district of Assam.
-Mizoram was carved out of Assam as a Union Territory in 1972 and by 1987, it became a full-fledged state.
-The two states have 164.6 km long inter-state border , sometimes leading to violent clashes.
The dispute stems from two notifications passed under British era:
- First, notification of 1875, that differentiated Lushai Hills from the plains of Cachar.
- Second, notification of 1933, that demarcates a boundary between Lushai Hills and Manipur.
- Mizoram claims that the land is theirs is based on an 1875 notification .
-Assam for its part, claims that the land is theirs. It goes by a 1933 notification by the state government that demarcated the Lushai Hills, which Mizoram was formerly known as, from the province of Manipur.
-Thus the border conflicts are related to not-so-clear boundary.
- People living in the border areas cross over to the other side as they are not fully aware of the border demarcation.
