HIGH-LEVEL delegations of Mizoram and Assam Governments on Tuesday held border talks here and expressed hope to resolve the decades-old boundary dispute between the two North-eastern neighbours amicably.

The delegations signed a joint statement that said both the States agreed to promote and maintain peace and prevent any untoward incident along the border. Deputy Commissioners of the border districts of both States will meet at least once in two months, the statement said.

A violent clash between the police forces of Assam and Mizoram in July last year claimed the lives of six people, following which the two states formed committees to resolve the border dispute.

The Mizoram delegation was headed by Home Minister Lalchamliana while the Assam team was led by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Bora said that the Chief Ministers of both the States are sincere and taking positive roles in settling the vexed border dispute. Lalchamliana said that it will take time to have a lasting solution to the boundary problem. Both delegations agreed to hold the next round of talks in Assam’s capital Guwahati in October.