Mizoram violates joined agreement signed on August 5 by sending armed troops in Assam; Commandos deployed in Hailakandi

Tension mounting at Assam – Mizoram border in Hailakandi’s Kachurtal area. Armed forces of both states are at loggerheads and Mizoram continues to test and tease while Assam Police resist and retreat. On August 20, 2021, the Officer in charge of Ramnathpur Police Station, during routine patrolling found that the labourers deployed by Mizoram are constructing a bridge within the constitutional boundary of Assam.

“OC Ramnathpur PS and his patrolling team immediately reached the spot and stopped the construction work calling it a trespass by Mizoram as Mizoram had no authority to build a bridge on Assam side,” informs Gourav Upadhyay, Superintendent of Police, Hailakandi.

The Hailakandi District Administration took note of the development. The administration briefed, “Next day around 40-50 Mizo security forces reached the bridge and few members of the Mizo security forces came towards Assam side of the bridge in complete violation of the joint statement issued by both states on 5th August to maintain peace in border area. Moreover, when they were asked by local policemen to leave Assam land, in an act of brazen belligerence they refused to do so.”

In order to assert the position of Assam and to ask Mizoram forces to retreat from the Assam side of the bridge, a party of around 200 Assam Police personnel and Commandos under the leadership of SP Hailakandi and other senior officials reached Kachurtal. “Being responsible force Assam Police did not confront and is giving respective civil administration a chance to amicably resolve the matter by stopping the construction on the unauthorised bridge and removal of Mizoram forces,” informed the administration.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Kolashib District, H Lalthlangliana issued a counter-allegation. “Assam Police on duty have entered Mizoram territory in Zophai, Bairabi, where the ongoing bridge construction is undertaken to connect the main road with the paddy field owned by Pu Ch. Chhunga, the first Chief Minister of Mizoram.”

He went on, “Here, Assam Police created problems for the workers on the site and even stole some construction materials including pieces of iron rods, etc. A Police case against theft of construction materials has been filed against them at Bairabi Police Station.”

Replying to the complaint that the Assam Police personnel stole construction materials while wearing the uniform, Upadhyay said, “The allegation of any theft by a disciplined force like Assam Police is absolutely concocted, baseless, malafide and devoid of any facts and is an attempt by Mizoram administration to divert the attention from the main issue, that is illegal construction by Mizoram authorities on Assam soil.”