Aizwal, July 26:

Brief

– Mizoram Home Minister, Pu Lalchamliana blames Assam Government’s intrusion and aggression as reason for border clash
– Mizoram police and local residents responded to Assam Police’s aggression and assault
– Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma says 5 Assam police personnel died in the clash
– Sarma says Mizoram Police used Light Machine Guns (LMG) against personnel of Assam Police

Full Report

Condemning the violent clash at Lailapur along the Assam – Mizoram border on Monday which has led to death of atleast five Assam Police personnel and injury to over hundred from both sides, Mizoram Home Minister, Pu Lalchamliana has released a statement saying the unfortunate incident arose due to ‘intrusion and aggression’ by Assam government.

The clash between Assam police and Mizoram police along with involvement of residents of Vairengte town from Mizoram took place at border of Cachar (Assam)-Kolasib (Mizoram) district.

Lalchamliana said it all started when around 200 Assam armed Police along with Cachar district officials came to Vairengte Auto-rickshaw stand at around 11:30 a.m. on Monday and forcibly crossed the duty posts manned by CRPF and Mizoram police as well as damaging several vehicles that were travelling along the National Highway between Vairengte and Lailapur. The residents of Vairengte town, Kolasib District (Mizoram) were also assaulted by Assam police and tear gas fired at them, resulting in injury to many civilians.

What followed thereafter was the response from the local residents and Mizoram Police.
Lalchamliana said Government of Mizoram deeply regrets the needless injuries on both sides which could have been avoided and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that 5 Assam police personnel died in the clash and that there was evidence to suggest that Mizoram Police used Light Machine Guns (LMG) against personnel of Assam Police. He, however, did not explicitly state if the deaths were caused by LMG shots.

Clear evidences are now beginning to emerge that unfortunately show that Mizoram Police has used Light Machine Guns (LMG) against personnel of @assampolice. This is sad, unfortunate and speaks volumes about the intention and gravity of the situation.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2021

Full statement of Mizoram Home Minister

1. Around 200 (two hundred) 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 a.m. on 26.07.2021. They forcibly crossed the duty post manned by CRPF personnel stationed there and overran a duty post manned by one section of Mizoram police personnel. The Assam Police also damaged several vehicles that were travelling along the National Highway between Vairengte and Lailapur.

2. 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.

3. SP, Kolasib and an Executive Magistrate went to meet them and tried to resolve the issue. However, Assam side were adamant and unwilling to discuss the issue.

4. The confrontation continued and a volley of tear gas canisters and grenades were launched at Mizoram Police followed by firing from Assam side at around 4:50 p.m.

5. Mizoram Police responded spontaneously by firing back at Assam Police inspite of the fact that SP, Kolasib District was still inside CRPF duty camp negotiating with the Assam Police authorities.

6. The entire development had been quite unfortunate. It all started with the Assam Police aggression into the duty camps of CRPF and Mizoram Police near Vairengte Auto-Rickshaw stand.

7. With the intervention of the Union Home Minister who spoke to both the Chief Ministers, Assam Police have withdrawn from the place and the duty post have been handed back to CRPF personnel.

8. The Government of Mizoram strongly condemns the unjustified act of the Government of Assam in this intrusion and aggression into the territory of Mizoram. The Government of Mizoram deeply regrets the needless injuries on both sides which could have been avoided and wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured.

9. The Government of Mizoram desires that the inter-state border issue with Assam be resolved in an atmosphere of peace and understanding. Accordingly, we call upon the State of Assam to create congenial environment for peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Assam CM reaction

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that six personnel of Assam Police succumbed to their injuries after the clash at Assam-Mizoram border.

He said: “I am deeply pained to inform that six brave jawans of Assam Police have sacrificed their lives while defending constitutional boundary of our state at the Assam-Mizoram border. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

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.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2021

However, an official statement from Assam government later said the sixth death is being ascertained while it confirmed the death of five police personnel and injury to over 50 personnel including senior officials.

At the same time, he said evidence has emerged that Mizoram Police used Light Machine Guns (LMG) against personnel of Assam Police.

“This is sad, unfortunate and speaks volumes about the intention and gravity of the situation,” he said.

He also shared a video on his Twitter handle stating that Mizoram Police and local residents celebrated the killing of the Assam Police personnel.

After killing 5 Assam police personnel and injuring many , this is how Mizoram police and goons are celebrating.- sad and horrific pic.twitter.com/fBwvGIOQWr

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2021