Six jawans of Assam Police lost their lives following clashes at the Assam-Mizoram border, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on July 26.
Several people, including police personnel, were injured in fresh violence along the Assam-Mizoram border on July 26.
“I am deeply pained to inform that six brave jawans of @assampolice have sacrificed their lives while defending constitutional boundary of our state at the Assam-Mizoram border. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” CM Sarma tweeted.
“I have just spoken to Hon’ble Chief Minister @ZoramthangaCM ji. I have reiterated that Assam will maintain status quo and peace between the borders of our state. I have expressed my willingness to visit Aizawl and discuss these issues if need be @AmitShah @PMOIndia,” Sarma added.
The fresh cases of violence were reported from Lailapur area along the border.
A statement released by DIPR, Mizoram, on behalf of home minister Pu Lalchamliana said: “Around 200 Assam armed Police led by IGP, Assam Police accompanied by DC, Cachar; SP, Cachar and DFO, Cachar came to Vairengte auto-rickshaw stand at around 11:30 am on July 26. They forcibly crossed the duty post manned by CRPF personnel stationed there and overran a duty post manned by 1 section of Mizoram police personnel. The Assam Police also damaged several vehicles that were travelling along the National Highway between Vairengte and Lailapur.”
“Upon learning of the arson committed by Assam Police, residents of Vairengte town, Kolasib district proceeded to the site to inquire. These unarmed civilians were assaulted by Assam Police by lathi charging them and firing tear gas, thereby causing injuries to several civilians. SP, Kolasib and an executive magistrate went to meet them and try to resolve the issue. However, Assam side were adamant and unwilling to discuss the issue,” the statement added.
Assam Police claimed that a large number of “miscreants from Mizoram” were indulging in stone pelting and similar attacks at Assam government officials who were stationed at Lailapur “to protect Assam’s land from encroachment”.
During the day, Assam Police tweeted: “It’s unfortunate that large number of miscreants from Mizoram are indulging in stone pelting and such forms of attack at Assam government officials, stationed at Lailapur to protect Assam’s land from encroachment.”
It's unfortunate that large number of miscreants from Mizoram are indulging in stone pelting and such forms of attack at Assam Government Officials, stationed at Lailapur to protect Assam's land from encroachment.
— Assam Police (@assampolice) July 26, 2021
Earlier, a top official of Cachar district said that, at least four police personnel were injured in miscreants attack and they were rushed to hospital.
The miscreants had also reportedly damaged several vehicles of Assam government officials.
Both Assam and Mizoram have increased security deployment along the bordering areas following the incident.
Meanwhile, Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga tweeted a video of the incident and sought Union home minister Amit Shah’s immediate intervention.
Highlighting the issue, Zoramthanga tweeted: “Shri @AmitShah ji….kindly look into the matter. This needs to be stopped right now. #MizoramAssamBorderTension.”
Shri @AmitShah ji….kindly look into the matter.
This needs to be stopped right now.#MizoramAssamBorderTension @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @himantabiswa @dccachar @cacharpolice pic.twitter.com/A33kWxXkhG
— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 26, 2021
The Mizoram chief minister also claimed that, innocent people on their way to Mizoram were manhandled and their vehicles ransacked by thugs and goons in Assam.
On the other hand, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: “Honourable @ZoramthangaCM ji , Kolasib ( Mizoram) SP is asking us to withdraw from our post until then their civilians won’t listen nor stop violence. How can we run government in such circumstances? Hope you will intervene at earliest.”
Honble @ZoramthangaCM ji , Kolasib ( Mizoram) SP is asking us to withdraw from our post until then their civilians won't listen nor stop violence. How can we run government in such circumstances? Hope you will intervene at earliest @AmitShah @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/72CWWiJGf3
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2021
The incident occurred after all chief ministers of the Northeast states met Union home minister Amit Shah in Shillong on July 25 and discussed law & order, border dispute issues.
On July 10, an alleged grenade was triggered along the border while many senior officials of Assam including the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police of Cachar district were visiting the areas.
On July 9, a high-level meeting of the chief secretaries of both Assam and Mizoram was held over state border.
Assam and Mizoram share a 164.6 km of state border.
(The story was edited to add the statement released by DIPR, Mizoram)
