By: Dipak Kurmi
The recent reaffirmation of commitment by the governments of Assam and Mizoram to maintain peace and harmony along their inter-state border is a positive development in a region that has historically seen its share of tension and conflict. This renewed commitment was made during a ministerial-level meeting held in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, on 9th August 2024, and it signals a significant step forward in resolving long-standing border disputes that have occasionally led to violence and unrest.
Historical context: A Shared Heritage and Colonial Legacies
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The people of Mizoram and Assam share a deep cultural connection, with similarities in food habits, festivities, and a mutual respect for their neighbors. Historically, the hill people of Mizoram and the plains people of Assam have lived in harmony, without any recorded instances of armed conflict between them. However, the seeds of discord were sown during the colonial period, when British policies led to the forcible occupation of traditional territories belonging to various Lushai chiefs. These policies not only disrupted the lives of the Lushais but also made the people of the plains unwarranted victims of the colonial machinations.
The Lushais, like other indigenous communities in the region, fiercely resisted the British colonial forces in an attempt to protect their lands. Despite their resistance, the Mizo Hills were formally incorporated into British India in 1895. The following years saw the unification of the north and south hills into the Lushai Hills district in 1898, with Aizawl as its administrative center. This district would later become Mizoram, first as a Union Territory in 1972 and then as a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987.
The Contested Boundary: Assam and Mizoram’s Differing Perspectives
One of the core issues contributing to the tension between Assam and Mizoram is the disagreement over the boundary between the two states. The Assam government adheres to the boundary notification issued on March 9, 1933, which defined the borders of the erstwhile Lushai Hills district. On the other hand, the Mizoram government bases its claim on an earlier boundary demarcation made in 1875 under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873. This earlier demarcation, according to the Mizoram government, is more acceptable because it had the consent of the tribal chiefs at the time, unlike the 1933 re-drawing, which was imposed without local consultation.
These differing interpretations of historical documents have been at the heart of the border disputes between Assam and Mizoram. The 1875 boundary is seen by the Mizoram government as a more legitimate reflection of their traditional territories, while Assam’s reliance on the 1933 notification is rooted in its legal standing within the framework of the Indian Union. This fundamental disagreement has led to serious friction in the past, occasionally escalating into violence, as seen in the tragic incidents of July 2021.
Recent Developments: A Renewed Commitment to Peace
Despite these historical tensions, the recent meeting between the governments of Assam and Mizoram marks a hopeful turn towards peaceful resolution. Both sides have agreed to move past their differences and focus on promoting and maintaining peace along their shared border. This is a significant development, especially considering the history of disputes and the potential for future conflicts if these issues are not addressed.
The discussions held on Friday have been described as a significant step towards finding mutually acceptable solutions to the border disputes. Importantly, the delegations from both states have acknowledged that the cooperation of the people living on both sides of the border is crucial for a peaceful resolution. This recognition is vital, as local communities are often the first to bear the brunt of any border-related tensions.
The Larger Issue of Encroachment: Assam’s Concerns with Its Neighbors
While the recent discussions between Assam and Mizoram are a positive sign, they represent only one part of a broader issue that Assam faces along its inter-state borders. Encroachment on reserved forests along Assam’s boundaries with neighboring states has been a concern for several decades. Assam government reports detail how reserved forests in border areas have been systematically encroached upon, often with alleged official support from the other side. This issue has been highlighted in several cases brought before the Supreme Court concerning Assam’s inter-state border issues.
In a recent Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2023, the Gauhati High Court directed the governments of Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh to submit affidavits within six weeks, detailing the measures they have taken to remove encroachments of forest lands along their borders with Assam. However, the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam, expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavits submitted by these states, noting that they lacked specific details on how they would address the encroachments.
The Assam Advocate General, in his submission before the Court, noted that the Assam government had made attempts to free the encroached Inner-Line Reserve Forest areas along the Assam-Mizoram border but faced resistance from the people of Mizoram. Media reports quoting official sources in the Assam government claim that Arunachal Pradesh has encroached upon 16,144 hectares, Mizoram upon 3,679 hectares, and Nagaland upon 59,490 hectares of Assam land, with most of these areas being forest reserves.
The Broader Impact: Unresolved Border Issues and Their Consequences
The failure to resolve inter-state border issues between Assam and its neighbors—Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Mizoram—has had significant consequences for all four states. People living near these borders often live in fear and apprehension, as the tension can flare up at any time. The loss of life and property in such conflicts has been considerable, and in many cases, the violence has occurred in reserved forest areas, leading to the destruction of valuable forest resources.
Recent steps taken to settle disputes in certain pockets of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh and Assam-Meghalaya borders have reduced tensions temporarily, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. The Assam-Mizoram border has remained relatively incident-free since the July 2021 incident, but the situation remains fragile. The cordial discussion held last week between Assam and Mizoram is a promising sign, but for the peace to be lasting, the solutions must address the root causes of the conflict.
Moving forward: The path to lasting peace
The recent discussions between Assam and Mizoram, coupled with the ongoing legal proceedings in the Gauhati High Court, represent critical steps towards resolving the complex inter-state border issues in Northeast India. However, for these efforts to be successful, they must be accompanied by a sincere commitment from all parties involved to seek mutually acceptable solutions.
One of the key challenges will be balancing the historical and cultural claims of the indigenous communities with the legal and administrative boundaries established during the colonial period. This will require a nuanced approach that takes into account the perspectives of all stakeholders, including the local communities who live along the borders.
Furthermore, the governments of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh must work together to ensure that the encroachments on reserved forest lands are addressed in a manner that respects the rights of the local communities while also protecting the environment. The involvement of the judiciary, as seen in the ongoing PIL, will be crucial in ensuring that these efforts are carried out in a fair and transparent manner.
While the reaffirmation of peace and harmony between Assam and Mizoram is a positive development, it is only the beginning of what will likely be a long and complex process of resolving inter-state border disputes in Northeast India. The success of these efforts will depend on the willingness of all parties to engage in constructive dialogue, backed by a commitment to finding solutions that are both just and sustainable. If these conditions are met, there is hope that the region can move beyond its troubled past and build a future based on mutual respect and cooperation. (The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
