Mizoram Home Minister slams Assam Govt for "intrusion" & "aggression" in Mizo territory

AIZAWL: After six police personnel and one civilians reportedly got killed in one of the bloodiest border disputes between Assam and Mizoram, the latter has condemned the “unjustified” act of the former.

State Home Minister Lalchamliana on Monday evening condemned the Assam government for intruding into Mizoram territory.

The Mizoram government on Monday vehemently condemned the alleged unjustified act of its Assam counterpart for intruding and aggression into Mizoram territory.

In a video statement, Lalchamliana said around 200 armed police personnel led by IGP Assam Police accompanied by Cachar district Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police (SP) and Divisional Forest Officer reached Vairengte auto-rickshaw stand  around 11:30 am on Monday.

The team forcibly crossed the duty post manned by CRPF personnel stationed there and overran a duty post manned by one section of Mizoram police personnel.

He also alleged that Assam Police damaged several vehicles that were travelling along the National Highway between Vairengte and Lailapur in Assam.

“Upon learning of the arson committed by Assam Police, residents of Vairengte town in Kolasib district proceeded to the site to inquire about the situation” , the home minister said.

These unarmed civilians were assaulted by Assam Police by lathi charging them and firing tear gas, thereby causing injuries to several civilians, he said. 

He further stated that when the SP of Kolasib and an Executive Magistrate went to meet them and tried to resolve the issue, the Assam officials were adamant and unwilling to discuss the issue. 

The confrontation continued and a volley of tear gas canisters and grenades were launched at Mizoram Police followed by firing from Assam side around 4:50 p.m. 

Terming the firing as a retaliatory action by Mizoram police, the home minister claimed that Mizoram Police responded spontaneously by firing back at Assam Police inspite of the fact that SP, Kolasib District was still inside CRPF duty camp negotiating with the Assam Police authorities. 

Terming the development as “unfortunate”, he claimed that “it all started with the Assam Police aggression into the duty camps of CRPF and Mizoram Police near Vairengte Auto-Rickshaw stand.” 

"With the intervention of the Hon'ble Union Home Minister who spoke to both the Chief Ministers, Assam Police have withdrawn from the place and the duty post have been handed back to CRPF personnel.” he said.

Terming the violence as “needless injuries on both side”, he said that "the Government of Mizoram strongly condemns the unjustified act of the Government 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 and wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured," he added in his statement.

Expressing Mizoram government’s desire to resolve the inter-state border issue with Assam in an atmosphere of peace and understanding, he called upon the Assam government to create congenial environment for peaceful resolution of the dispute.

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