Tension prevailed on the Assam-Mizoram border and several people were injured after violent clashes broke out between two groups from both states.
According to reports, several people were injured during the clash between the two groups from Assam and Mizoram at Lailapur area in Assam’s Cachar district on Saturday evening.
Miscreants torched several houses near Lailapur area along the inter-state border.
Police and administration officials have now said that the overall situation on the Assam-Mizoram border is under control and security personnel have been deployed along the border areas under Assam’s Cachar district and Mizoram’s Kolasib district.
HOW DID VIOLENCE ON ASSAM-MIZORAM BORDER START
Mizoram shares a 164.6-km border with Assam.Several dialogues held since 1995 to resolve the border dispute have yielded little results. The two states are often at loggerheads over the boundary, which they dispute.
The latest 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. Mizoram’s MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo, who is camping at Vairengte, said that his state is not hostile to Assam or its people but is protecting its territory from infiltration by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who are living in the border areas.
Vairengte in Kolasib district is on the northern fringe of Mizoram through which the National Highway 306 (formerly 54) 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.
The two states have now 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, officials were quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
ASSAM CM SPEAKS TO MIZO COUNTERPART, ASSURES COOPERATION
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday apprised the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Home Ministry about the prevailing situation at Assam-Mizoram border over the phone.
Sarbananda Sonowal also spoke to his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga over phone and discussed the border incident.
During the conversation with Mizoram CM, Sarbananda Sonowal stressed on taking productive measures and joint efforts to address the border issues.
He also advocated amicably settling the border dispute and to work with cooperation for maintaining peace and law and order at the inter-state border.
“Talked to Mizoram CM Shri @ZoramthangaCM over phone about the incident at Assam-Mizoram border. We agreed to maintain the law and order situation of the area so that peace returns immediately. We resolve to work together for maintaining brotherhood between both the states,” Sarbanada Sonowal said on Twitter.
The @PMOIndia and @HMOIndia have also been apprised of the incident.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 18, 2020
“There might have differences but all differences must be settled through dialogue,” Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Mizoram CM Zoramthanga assured Sarbananda Sonowal to look into the matter and maintain peace at the inter-state border and working with cooperation.
“Noble, much awaited approach from a great leader. May this kind intervention brought #peace to the region and strengthen our bonds. Thank you Shri @sarbanandsonwal ji #NorthEast #Mizoram #Assam #India @PMOIndia @HMOIndia,” Zoramthanga said on Twitter.
Noble, much awaited approach from a great leader.
May this kind intervention brought #peace to the region and strengthen our bonds.
Thank you Shri @sarbanandsonwal ji #NorthEast #Mizoram #Assam #India @PMOIndia @HMOIndia https://t.co/rOebyUpUeH— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) October 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya on Sunday visited Lailapur area and appealed to the locals to maintain peace.
A meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, between the two state will be held on Monday to take stock of the situation, Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana said.
Chief secretaries of the two states will be present in the meeting, he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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