MHA will send team to resolve ‘unofficial economic blockade’

Concerned over the “unofficial economic blockade” being imposed by Assam on Mizoram, the Union home ministry will send a team of senior officials this week to help resolve the issue between the two states. As of now Mizoram is getting supply of essential commodities through Tripura, but since this is a much longer route Mizoram is beginning to face shortage of fuel and food items already.

Officials who are closely monitoring the situation and are in constant touch with both the states claimed that as of now the situation of essential commodities in Mizoram was under control.

Concerned over the “unofficial economic blockade” being imposed by Assam on Mizoram, home ministry will send a team of senior officials this week to help resolve the issue between the two states. As of now Mizoram is getting supply of essential commodities through Tripura but since this is a much longer route, Mizoram is beginning to face shortage of fuel and food items already.

Senior home ministry officials who are closely monitoring the situation and are in constant touch with both states claimed that as of now the situation of essential commodities in Mizoram was under control but if the situation remains the same and if movement of trucks was not allowed on national Highway-36 soon, then situation could further deteriorate in the next few days.

Even on last Friday, the home ministry had asked the Assam government to ensure that no economic blockade is imposed on Mizoram and movement of essential commodities is not affected.

Centre has already deployed additional central forces on National Highway-306, which acts as a lifeline for Mizoram and is the only main link of the state with the rest of the country. However, the problem being faced is that since National highway-36 passes through Assam local residents have set up blockades thus disrupting movement of vehicles carrying essential goods to Mizoram.

“As of now most essential commodities to Mizoram are coming from the Tripura route but this takes a lot of time as the connecting bridge between the two States is very narrow and heavy trucks cannot pass through it. So Centre’s team will visit the two States later this week to ensure that the issue gets resolved,”a senior ministry official added.

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla has held a series of meetings senior officials from the two states. Home secretary met Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and Director General of Police SBK Singh followed by a meeting with Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua and State police chief Bhaskar Jyoti last week.

CENTRE HAS already deployed additional central forces on National Highway-306, which acts as a lifeline for Mizoram and is the only main link of the state with the rest of the country.