The Gauhati High Court has directed the Centre, Assam and Mizoram governments to take necessary steps for smooth movement of traffic and essential items on National Highway 306 and inter-state highway connecting the two states.

On Thursday, a bench of Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Manish Choudhury had passed the order acting on a petition filed by the Mizoram Bar Association on Monday to ensure there was no disruption in supply of essentials from the Assam side.

The division bench also directed the railways to ensure movement of trains from Silchar in Assam to Bhairabi in Mizoram for ferrying of goods and traffic for which the Centre and the two states will render necessary assistance to the railway authorities.

Movement of trucks were disrupted on the inter-state border since October 28 following unrest over territorial issues but was restored on Wednesday evening, after 13 days.

The court has given the Centre, Assam and Mizoram to file their responses within three weeks. The case is listed for December 4.

The Vairengte (Mizoram)-Cachar (Assam) border has been on the edge since October 17. Movement of trucks was disrupted because of protests by people of Lailapur in Cachar district against non-withdrawal of Mizoram security personnel deployed in the area since October 8 following border skirmishes.

Assam residents have alleged that their Mizoram counterparts have entered about 3km inside Cachar district and 7km inside Hailakandi district in while Mizoram claims they are in their own territory.