Zoramthanga

Aizawl, March 9: Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga told the Assembly yesterday that there was no state-level solution to the lingering boundary dispute between Mizoram and Assam.

Addressing the seventh session of the Assembly yesterday, Zoramthanga said the boundary issue could not be settled through talks. It needed to be ratified through the Constitution.

?The boundary issue is not something that can be settled at the chief minister?s level. But there is a solution under the Constitution.

I have already approached the Prime Minister and the home minister and I hope there will be a solution,? Zoramthanga said. He added that while criticism from the Mizoram People?s Conference and the Zoram Nationalist Party over the lack of action on the boundary dispute was understandable, criticism by the Congress could not be accepted since the Congress itself had been party to the accord between the Mizo National Front and the Centre in 1986.

?The Mizoram Congress knows very well that the boundary issue was not taken up during the MNF?s talks with the Centre as it could create a bottleneck in the peace talks. It was agreed that the matter be left as it was, since it could be settled constitutionally,? Zoramthanga said.

Opposition leader Lalthan-hawla accused Speaker Lalchamliana of not protecting his legislators, referring to the recent arrests of Congress legislator Zodintluanga and Independent member H. Lalsangzuala by the state police.