Newmai News Network Aizawl | April 10 The Joint Committee constituted by Assam and Mizoram Governments under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the wake of border standoff between the two states will begin its task of inspecting and identifying illegal constructions inside the 509 sq.miles Inner Line Reserve Forest Area along the Assam-Mizoram border from April 12, official sources said on Tuesday. The decision to commence identification of illegal structures along the border area from Thursday was taken at the meeting of the Joint Committee members at Dholai in Assam’s Cachar district bordering Mizoram on Monday. The meeting was presided over by Chief Conservator of Forest of Assam’s Cachar district Dr. Vinay Gupta, and Conservator of Forest in Mizoram central circle Lalthlamuana Pachuau. The meeting agreed to begin identification process from Zophai, inside the Inner Line Reserved Forest Area, where the border standoff took place when activists of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) attempted to construct a resting shed in March, a senior officer in the state Home department said. Identification of illegal constructions along Zophai area will be carried out on April 12 and 13, he added. He also said that the meeting agreed to be specific as identification of illegal structures in the entire Inner Line Reserved Forest Area along the border will take time. After Zophai, the Joint Committee will inspect and identify illegal constructions along Lailapur in Assam to Vairengte in Mizoram, Phaisen and Aitlang areas along the boundary. The process of identification of illegal constructions along the Assam-Mizoram border will be carried out under tight security, sources said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Mizoram’s Kolasib district R. Zarzosanga, Kolasib District Superintendent of Police Abhishek Dhania, Assam DIG (SR) D Ipadhaya, Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan and many other officials from Assam and Mizoram including representatives of MZP. The formation of Joint Committee involving forest officials, police and district administration of Cachar and Hailakandi districts in Assam and Kolasib in Mizoram was announced by Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry (Northeast) Satyendra Garg, who headed the fact finding team, which visited Zophai on the Assam –Mizoram border on March 27. Garg, who convened meeting with officials of Assam and Mizoram governments and MZP leader during his visit to Zophai, said the Joint Committee will identify illegal constructions along the Inner Line Reserved Forest Area within one month and submit its findings and reports latest by April 30 as was agreed in the meeting. The Joint Committee on Monday, however, said that it will seek extension in case it fails to complete its task of identifying illegal structures within the stipulated time.
