Guwahati, Aug 3: Assam and Mizoram have started making headways in resolving their inter-state border dispute evident from both the states Chief Ministers tweets directing to withdraw the Police cases in their respective Police stations against each other over the July 26, 2021 clash.
The gesture was first initiated by Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga who at 5.24 pm on Monday evening tweeted, “In order to build a conducive atmosphere for amicable solution to the Mizoram-Assam Border dispute and to reduce the plight of suffering citizens, I have directed Mizoram Police to withdraw FIR dated 26.07.2021 filed at Vairengte,Kolasib District, Mizoram against all the accused persons.”
The case (19/21) registered under several sections of IPC for attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and assault, had named Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, six Assam officials including four senior police officers and 200 other unnamed police personnel. Last Sunday, Mizoram, however dropped Sarma from the FIR.
Assam too had on July 27 filed a case at Dhalai Police station in southern Assam’s Cachar district against Mizoram Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena, six Mizoram officials and had initiated an investigation in identifying and arresting those found firing in videos of the clashes. After Mizoram dropped Sarma’s name, Assam too dropped the MP’s name from the FIR.
Both states, however, were adament on continuing the investigation on the officials mentioned in the FIR until Monday morning.
About one and half hour after Zoramthanga’s tweet on Monday evening, Sarma tweeted at 7.19: “I learned that Hon’ble CM Zoramthanga has asked Mizoram Police to withdraw FIR against our officers. I heartily reciprocate this positive gesture and ask Assam Police to withdraw cases against DC Kolasib and SDPO Virengte.”
Case against 4 Mizoram officials to continue
Meanwhile, the case will still go on against the rest four — Kolasib Superintendent of Police Vanlalfake Ralte, Kolasib Additional SP David JB, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) of Vairengte C. Lalrempuia, and Additional SP of 1st IRBN deputed on the border, Bruce Kibby.
CM Sarma further said that he will send cabinet ministers Atul Bora and Ashok Singhal to Mizoram capital Aizawl on August 5 for a “meaningful dialogue”.
“Assam stands committed to ensuring peace on its borders, paving the way for a peaceful & developed North-East,” Sarma said.
About the incidentÂ
The relations between the two states soured following an inter-state border dispute on July 26, 2021 in which several rounds of shots including those from Light Machine Guns (LMG) were fired, resulting in the death of six Assam police personnel and over 50 others injured of bullet wounds. The clash flared up over an alleged construction by Mizoram in Lailapur under Dhalai of Cachar district in southern Assam.
Lailapur falls under the disputed 198-square-mile stretch on the inter-state border between Assam and Mizoram. It is bordered by Vairengte town in Kolasib district of northern Mizoram.
