Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has expressed confidence that the long-pending inter-state boundary dispute with Mizoram will be resolved soon, following a meeting between senior officials of the two states in Agartala.
Saha said he and the Mizoram Chief Minister had earlier discussed the dispute and agreed to work together towards a solution, but he had later suggested that the matter first be taken up at the official level before another Chief Minister-level meeting. He said Mizoram officials had arrived in Tripura on Wednesday and held discussions with their counterparts. "I believe the solution would happen soon," he said.
A Home Secretary-level meeting between the two states was held in Agartala to discuss the boundary issue and establish a mechanism for resolving outstanding differences. According to state government sources, both sides agreed to maintain the status quo on the ground in the Phuldungsai Village Council area of Tripura's North District. Routine developmental activities there may continue, while any special project proposed will be communicated to the other state.
The two states also agreed that neither side would undertake any unilateral demarcation exercise, and that the Survey of India would be involved in any future joint demarcation. As part of the mechanism, a Joint Technical Team will be constituted comprising the Directors of the Directorate of Land Records and Settlement of Tripura and Mizoram, along with the Director of the Survey of India's Guwahati office. The team will examine available land records with the Survey of India before any future field survey.
Both states will designate their respective Additional Home Secretaries and Directors of the Directorate of Land Records and Settlement as nodal officers for day-to-day coordination. The Joint Technical Team will meet every fortnight at the Survey of India's Silchar office. Another Home Secretary-level meeting is scheduled to be held in Aizawl after two months.