Assam-Mizoram border dispute, situation tense but under control

Simmering tension prevailed on the Assam-Mizoram border after a violent clash took place between the people of the two states, injuring several. The situation is now under control in the area, which is on the border between the Kolasib district of Mizoram and Cachar district of Assam. A meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, between the two state was held today to take stock of the situation. Chief secretaries of the two states were present in the meeting.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal apprised the Prime Minister's Office and Union Home Ministry about the prevailing situation in the area. Sonowal also telephoned Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and spoke to him on the border incident, stressing on the need to take productive measures and joint efforts to address the border issues. Zoramthanga assured Sonowal of efforts to maintain peace at the inter-state border and cooperation.

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The two states have deployed security personnel, including those of the Indian Reserve Battalion, in the violence-hit areas near the Vairengte village in Mizoram and Assam's Lailapur. Vairengte in Kolasib district is on the northern fringe of Mizoram through which the National Highway 306 passes, linking the state to Assam. The nearest village in Assam is Lailapur, which is in the Cachar district.

A large number of Vairengte residents assembled when some people from Assam, armed with sticks and dao, pelted stones at a group near the auto-rickshaw stand on the outskirts of the border village on Saturday evening. The irate mob from Vairengte retaliated and set on fire about 20 temporary bamboo huts and stalls built along the national highway by residents of Lailapur despite a prohibitory order being in place.

One of the injured persons, who suffered a cut in his neck, was admitted to the Kolasib district hospital and the condition was critical. Three people were being treated at a Public Health Centre in Vairengte. The incident could be the fallout of the demolition of a makeshift hut used by local volunteers who guard the inter- state border near the Saihaipui 'V' village, about 3 km from Vairengte. The volunteers are guarding the border to check the movement of the people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The situation is under control and senior officials along with police are in the area to defuse the tension. Security has been beefed up in Lailapur and along the inter-state border.

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