Sarupathar, Sept 19: In a move aimed at strengthening grassroots coordination along the Assam-Nagal and border, legislators from the two states met in Sarupathar in Golaghat district on Saturday. Sarupathar MLA Biswajit Phukan hosted Achumbemo Kikon, MLA of the neighbouring Bhandari Assembly constituency in Nagal and’s Wokha district, at the former’s residence following an invitation to the Nagal and legislator.

Addressing the public after the meeting, Phukan said the two sides had decided to work together on economic development, cultural exchange, peace and prosperity along the border. “Today’s meeting is beyond border discussion.

Instead, it is clearly a cultural exchange programme and we are here to create a new era for our future and young generation,” Phukan said. Phukan also announced plans for a large-scale bamboo plantation initiative along the border, saying bamboo could provide an economic opportunity for communities on both sides.

“We are planning to distribute 5 lakh bamboo saplings across Assam-Nagal and border areas. Bamboo is a crucial asset for us.

We have prepared 1 lakh free bamboo saplings for our Naga brothers. They will plant them in their villages, boosting economic benefit.

Parallelly, we in Assam will also carry out bamboo plantation for the same economic growth,” he said. He said the two states would also organise a joint plantation programme involving the chief ministers of Assam and Nagal and.

“There is no politics over plantation, keeping in mind climate change and extreme weather patterns. We would request Nagal and to engage in plantation as much as possible,” Phukan said.

Phukan said the meeting marked an effort to strengthen communication and trust between elected representatives of the two states. “I am hopeful that from today a new history will be forged between Assam-Nagal and through harmony, brotherhood, peace and development.

Aajjir pora kajiya zero,” he said. Both Phukan and Kikon have previously stressed that “no inch of Assam’s land will be lost”, while also calling for restraint and neighbourly harmony.

Phukan said the two sides should avoid creating tension until the boundary demarcation issue is resolved through the appropriate mechanisms. “Since the demarcation of the clear border is not in our hands currently, we should not create chaos along the border,” he said.