Assam-Mizoram border tension resurfaces in Sribhumi over land claim

Tension has resurfaced along the Assam-Mizoram border in Sribhumi district after a group of Mizo residents allegedly entered nearly 2 km into Assam and claimed the area as Mizoram territory.

The dispute was reported from West Kalagang under the Ramkrishnanagar subdivision, where the group allegedly also stopped a local resident from constructing a house on the land.

The incident prompted the Assam administration and police to reach the area and assess the situation. Ramkrishnanagar Sub-Divisional Circle Officer Antara Pal and Jatrabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Chittaranjan Bora visited the spot along with police personnel.

A meeting was subsequently held between officials from Assam and the Officer-in-Charge of Kanmun Police Station in Mizoram's Mamit district. The discussions centred on preventing any escalation and maintaining peace along the border.

As an interim measure, both sides agreed to maintain the existing status quo in the disputed area. No new houses or other structures will be allowed to come up there until the land dispute is resolved.

The latest incident has revived concerns among residents of West Kalagang and adjoining areas, where disagreements over boundary demarcation, land surveys and possession have been reported repeatedly.

The disputed stretch lies close to the Singla Forest Reserve under the Cheragi Range and has long been considered a sensitive part of the Assam-Mizoram boundary.

The two states had previously held several rounds of discussions over alleged encroachment in the Soru Bhirband area in 2020. However, residents claim that those talks did not result in a permanent settlement. A separate dispute later surfaced near West Kalagang LP School over land measurement.

With fresh claims now emerging in the same region, residents are seeking a clear demarcation of the inter-state boundary to prevent recurring confrontations.

The Assam-Mizoram border has witnessed serious clashes in the past. On July 26, 2021, six Assam Police personnel were killed during a violent confrontation between the police forces of the two states at the Lailapur border in Cachar district.

Against that backdrop, the latest dispute is being closely watched by both administrations. While the situation in West Kalagang remains peaceful following the intervention of officials, residents fear that unresolved questions over land ownership and the boundary could trigger further tensions if left unsettled.