Halt link road work at Thaidawr hill: Mamit DC to N Tripura DC

Aizawl: Following instructions from Mizoram govt, Mamit deputy commissioner K Laltlawmlova instructed his North Tripura district counterpart, Chandni Chandran, to halt link road construction at Thaidawr hill in Phuldungsei village, state home minister K Sapdanga said on Thursday.

Sapdanga informed TOI that the Mamit DC contacted his North Tripura counterpart on Wednesday evening, resulting in immediate cessation of construction work. The state govt has initiated DC-level discussions initially, with provisions for state-level talks if required.

Upon receiving reports of road construction within Mizoram territory by North Tripura district administration, the state govt dispatched environment, forests & climate change minister Lalthansanga to Phuldungsei village on Tuesday.

Lalthansanga noted North Tripura district officials' intrusion into the Mizoram territory while acknowledging the state govt's previous inattention to the area. He promised enhanced focus on the region's future development.

Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) leaders, led by president H Lalthianghlima, inspected Thaidawr on Wednesday and confirmed the area belongs to Mizoram as per the 1933 notification under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873. The student organisation urged the Mizoram govt to take swift action to stop Tripura's road construction.

The MZP criticised the state govt's negligence of the area, which led to Tripura undertaking development works within Mizoram's territory. The Phuldungsei area has witnessed occasional incidents, with both Mizoram and Tripura govts asserting territorial claims over the village and surrounding areas while accusing each other of encroachment.