“A notification for central forces is out…they would be deployed along the border areas in Cachar and Karimganj districts. When the forces come, there will be peace on both sides,” Barua said.
He alleged that non-state actors played a major part in stoking differences and disputes. “I am concerned that a very innocent life being snatched away possibly by the handiwork of miscreants. So, we would like to have a detailed inquiry into it.” Barua, on his maiden visit to the border as chief secretary, made an impassioned plea to everyone to display restraint and patience and to maintain peace at all costs.
“The state government has taken up the issue with all seriousness and that is why, myself and DGP have come here and that being with the people and with the district authorities. All possible steps are being taken for peace. Peace is of paramount importance as you are aware it is an inter-state issue…between two different communities and there’s no question of not doing it other than through peaceful means. There’s no point in escalating tension…no point in increasing our own problems. We have to work within the four walls of the law,” he said.
Replying to a query, he said that Assam was clear of the constitutional boundary of Assam and that is clearly defined by the Mizoram Act of 1986, when Mizoram was made a state. “No one had any doubts as to what was the constitutional boundary. Our official stand is that the constitutional boundary of Assam is sacrosanct and we will stick to that.”