Guwahati: The border dispute between Assam and Mizoram has taken a severe turn as police personnel from Assam were killed and 50 others were injured. According to Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, six (initial tweet) police personnel from Assam were killed in a firing by “miscreants” from Mizoram in the inter-state border of Cachar district.
In the press statement issued by the Government of Assam, Mizoram initiated the construction of a road towards the Rengti Basti of Assam which destroyed the Inner Line Reserve Forest in Lailapur area of Assam. Assam police personnel were therefore sent in that area in order to resolve the matter and diffuse the situation.
The Assam Government also alleged that the Police personnel from Assam were then surrounded by a mob of “miscreants” from Mizoram who were supported by the Mizoram police.
The press statement added that the mob was violently brandishing weapons and throwing stones at the Assam police. Following this, 3 vehicles including the car of DC of Cachar, were damaged. It added that the Mizoram police fired at the Assam police even when SP Kolasib of Mizoram was having a discussion with them.
On the contrary, according to Lalchamliana, the Home Minister of Mizoram, around 200 armed Assam Police accompanied by DC, SP and DFO of Cachar, had arrived on the Vairengte auto-rickshaw stand and forcibly overran a duty post manned by a section of Mizoram police.
Lalchamliana further added that Assam police damaged several vehicles travelling along the National Highway and even assaulted the unarmed civilians of Mizoram.
Furthermore, it was also claimed that the SP Kolasib and an Executive Magistrate from Mizoram had offered to resolve the matter but the authorities from Assam refused to negotiate on the matter.
According to the Press Statement issued by the Home Minister of MIzoram, the Assam Police also used tear gas and lunched grenades at the Mizoram Police at around 4:50pm which was countered by the Mizoram Police through firing.
In view of the inter-state conflict in Assam-Mizoram border, the Chief Ministers of both the states extended their plea to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah to look into the matter.
Zoramthanga, the Chief Minister of Mizoram had tweeted to Amit Shah on Monday at 1:50pm along with a video of the violence.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam also tweeted expressing his grief on the mishap and established his willingness to visit Aizawl and discuss the matter if needed.
After speaking to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, both the states have agreed to discuss and resolve the matter without any violence. The intervention of Amit Shah also followed withdrawal of the Assam Police from the duty post which was then handed to the CRPF personnel.
The dispute is believed to be going on since the end of June when Assam Police allegedly took charge of an area named Aitlanghnar which is at a distance of 5km from Vairengte.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is expected to make a visit to the location today.