As NH-702D blockade continues, Assam-based organisations asked to lift at the earliest

Mokokchung, Dec. 7 (EMN): Even as the blockade imposed by Assam-based organisations on National Highway 702D stretched for the 23rd day on Monday, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has appealed to the protesting groups to focus on building people-to-people relationship as good neighbours and improving trade ties, and apply pressure on respective state governments to solve the border problem at the earliest.

A press release from MCCI on Monday impressed upon the presidents of all student organisations imposing the blockade on NH 702D to lift it at the earliest ‘in the best interest of maintaining peace and rebuilding relations’.

“It is well known fact that Assam and Nagaland states have unresolved border disputes. It requires political will to solve the border issue. Imposing economic blockades is not the solution. Rather, imposing economic blockades will only multiply the problems while destabilising the economy of both states.

“It is regrettable that the state governments of Assam and Nagaland have not been able to solve the border issue till date. Let us exert pressure on our respective state governments to solve the problem at the earliest. At the same time, let us work towards building people to people relations between us as good neighbours and improve our business, trade and economic ties so that it will be of mutual benefit. Lifting the economic blockade is the way forward,” read the statement.

The MCCI asserted that the status of trade and commerce relations between the neighbours will be a key factor in determining the solution to the long-drawn border problem.