Assam, Nagaland ink crucial MoU to settle decade-old border dispute

In a historic beginning towards total resolution of the long-pending border dispute over the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest, a crucial deal has been inked between Assam and Nagaland.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua and a host of other senior officials represented the Assam side, while Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, Chief Secretary J Alam, DGP TJ Longkumer, State Home Commissioner besides others represented Nagaland.

According to the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both sides have agreed to withdraw their respective police forces from the disputed site within 24 hours. It has also been decided that drones and UAV’s will be used to monitor the forested track.

Additionally, the SPs of Mokokchung and Jorhat have ben given the responsibility of withdrawing their forces in an orderly manner.

Notably, the memorandum signed today aims at resolving the dispute between both the states pertaining to Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest.

It may be mentioned that Assam and Nagaland share a 512 km inter-state border dispute between the two states over boundary demarcations have been lingering for over six decades now.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said that state government is making every effort to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.

Pegu informed that both the government are working in close coordination to resolve the border issue regarding Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest as well as other areas.

The minister also maintained that border situation with Nagaland cannot be equated with the situation along the Assam-Mizoram border.