GUWAHATI, Oct 17 - The governments of Assam and Nagaland today vowed to adopt �mutually reciprocating approach� to carry forward constant dialogue and people-to-people contact towards solving all outstanding issues between the two states. The states also agreed to work together in dealing with issues like rhino poaching, extremism, etc.
In a high level meeting between Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his Nagaland counterpart TR Zeliang, held at the convention centre, Kohora in Kaziranga National Park, both the Chief Ministers viewed that dialogue and not disenchantment should be way forward for maintenance of peace and harmony along the border of both the states.
Putting his thoughts forward, Sonowal said, �Both Assam and Nagaland share a common goal towards people-centric development and we need to work together for mutual growth. We need to work together to find out lasting solutions in the areas of illegal migration, life and security to the people of both the states and cultural and sporting exchanges.�
Sonowal also advocated the need for constituting committees consisting of MPs, MLAs and local people to undertake frequent visits to six districts of Assam sharing boundaries with Nagaland to facilitate confidence building measures and strengthen mutual trust and a sense of togetherness.
�We will work jointly to project the Northeast as a hub of possibility, potentiality and prosperity and position it in the pan-Indian contour showcasing its unmatched beauty in tourism, culture, forest and environment,� he said.
In the meeting, both the states have resolved to work towards development of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest like action against rhino poaching, intelligence sharing on extremist activities, crime control in border areas of both states. Both the Chief Ministers also agreed that security forces on both sides of the border need to be extra cautious due to threats from extremist groups and that intelligence inputs should be shared between the states through a structured mechanism.
Appreciating the gesture of Sonowal, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said, �It is undoubtedly an important step towards bringing both the states closer to think together, act together and march together.� He also said that the meeting will help both the states in creating an inroad for projecting themselves as a tourist hotspot and give a boost to the Act East Policy. He also invited his counterpart to Nagaland during the Hornbill Festival and send cultural troops to Nagaland to which Sonowal agreed.
He also said that the meeting will also create a congenial atmosphere for both the states to initiate confidence building measures which perhaps would be more beneficial than the Supreme Court ruling on the border issue. Moreover, to give a fillip to connectivity to the Northeast and between the two states, he also strongly advocated for extending the four-lane express highway up to Moreh.
