AIZAWL, March 11 - Mizoram Government has proposed to hold talks with Assam Government to reduce the prevailing tension in Bairabi area along the inter-State border.
In a letter addressed to Additional Chief Secretary of Assam, Alok Kumar, Mizoram Chief Secretary Arvind Ray on Saturday proposed that the two Deputy Commissioners of Kolasib district in Mizoram and Hailakandi district in Assam should hold talks before March 15 to normalise the situation and resolve the inter-State border dispute, an official statement said.
Ray reportedly told Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla about the willingness of Assam to hold talks with Mizoram.
Lal Thanhawla on Saturday told leaders of Mizo Students that massive efforts have been taken to normalise the prevailing tension in border area.
Sources said that Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday had a telephonic conversation with his Mizoram counterpart Lal Thanhawla and and suggested that both sides retreat from the disputed area.
The Centre also on Saturday sought reports from the two States about the incident and steps being taken to normalise the situation, sources said.
Even as a large number of MZP (Mizoram Student Union) activists had retreated and returned to Aizawl on Saturday night, some activists including MZP leader Lalramdinliana Renthlei are still camping in the area, sources said.
MZP general secretary Lalnunmawia Pautu said they are adamant to construct the resting shed at Zophai in Kolasib district.
Meanwhile, an emergency of MZP was convened on Sunday here to deliberate over the border issue and future course of action. The meeting decided to stage a State-wide protest rally under the banner �Ram Humhalh Kawngzawh� or �land protection march� on Monday at 10.30 am.
