Assam vs Mizoram: 5 Cops Dead In Heated Border Dispute That Dates Back To Colonial Era Laws

Violent clashes were reported along the inter-state border in Cachar district on Monday. At least five Assam Police personnel were killed while defending the "constitutional boundary".

Assam - Mizoram Border Dispute

Guwahati: At least five Assam Police personnel were killed while defending the "constitutional boundary" of the state with Mizoram. According to reports, 50 other officials of the Assam Police were injured and admitted to Silchar Medical College after the clashed escalated along the inter-state border in Cachar district. 

After allegations of encroachment of territory by both sides over the past few weeks and skirmishes that escalated tensions between the two states, violent clashes were reported along the inter-state border that ended in the death of at least five Assam policemen.

What Happened?

The Barak Valley districts of Assam- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi share a 164-km-long border with three districts of Mizoram- Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit. There were clashes along the inter-state border in August 2020 and February this year. 

Both Assam and Mizoram are hilly areas. In fact, the land for cultivation in the hilly areas is very less. Therefore, there is a dispute among the local people for a small piece of agricultural land. The latest controversy escalated when the Assam Police stopped the people of Mizoram from cultivating on their border and drove them away.

At least eight huts near the Aitlang river in the disputed area were torched at 11.30 pm on Sunday, Mizoram's Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said. There was no one in these huts, which belongs to the farmers of Vairengte, a nearby border village in Assam.

War of Words between CMs

A war of words ensued between Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and his counterpart from neighbouring Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

Zoramthanga on Twitter shared clips showing police trying to stop a clash among men armed with sticks. In reply, Sarma shared a clipping and said a superintendent of police from Mizoram was asking Assam's officials to withdraw from their post, failing which civilians from the neighbouring state would not stop the violence.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had claimed six police personnel were killed in action, but later revised the figure just before midnight saying  that five state police personnel died while more than 50 people were injured. Meanwhile, Assam Home Minister Lalchamliana claimed that around 200 Assam armed Police led by IGP, Assam came to Vairengte Auto-rickshaw stand forcibly crossed duty post manned by CRPF personnel stationed there and overran a duty post manned by Mizoram police. 

Sarma later expressed condolences saying, "I am deeply pained to inform that six brave jawans of Assam Police have sacrificed their lives while defending constitutional boundary of our state at the Assam-Mizoram border. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families." 

His counterpart from neighbouring Mizoram also conemned the unjustified act of the Govt of Assam in this intrusion and aggression into the territory of Mizoram". "The Government of Mizoram deeply regrets the needless injuries on both sides which could have been avoided," news agency ANI quoted him as saying. 

Home Minister Intervenes

Violent clashes broke out between the people of the two states just two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the CMs of all the Northeastern states in Shillong

The matter resolved after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday spoke to Chief Ministers of both states asking them to resolve the crisis. According to reports, the two chief ministers have agreed on Shah's request and the police forces of both states have now returned back from the disputed site. 

As reported by news agency PTI, Shah spoke to the two Chief Ministers in a separate telephonic conversations, asking them to maintain peace along the inter-state border where tension prevails and to resolve the border issue through discussion. 

Both chief ministers have assured the home minister that the needful will be done to ensure peace and resolve the border issue amicably. Sources have also said that Police forces from both states are expected to return from the disputed site.