Guwahati, Sept 3: Fresh confrontation has erupted since Thursday between Assam and Mizoram over the border dispute, this time in Assam’s Hailakandi district. Both states have brought serious allegations and written to each other.
In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Assam’s Hailakandi district, Deputy Commissioner, Kolasib district Dr H Lalthlangliana in his letter has said, “It has been brought to my notice based on a reliable report that this afternoon at Aitlang in Pu Lalngaisanga’s land where road construction connecting jhum land is undertaken by the farmers using Excavator JCB Reg. No. MZ05 A 4464, Assam Police went to disrupt their activity and damaged the door of Excavator and snatched the keys from the JCB operator Pu Lalnarammawia.”
He further added that the JCB operator was blindfolded and kidnapped with a gun pointed to his head by the Assam Police wearing Commando uniform. “He was then dragged by the river, ripped off his clothes and threatened for his life. His mobile Phone along with JCB keys was taken by the Assam Police,” the DC stated in the letter.
Stressing that this is considered a very serious issue and a huge setback towards the initiatives for peace until now, he said using forces deployed in the area can further aggravate the situation. “I, therefore, urge your immediate intervention as District Magistrate into the situation and to take necessary action towards these perpetrator(s) as well as to positively return the items taken away by the Assam Police to the JCB Owner and Operator at the earliest,” the kolashib DC said in his letter.
Assam’s reply to allegations
In his reply , the Deputy Commissioner of Assam’s Hailakandi district, Rohan Jha alleged that Mizoram is again making camps and bunker and carrying out road construction inside the ‘constitutional territory’ of Assam.
Assam govt has further claimed that its police confronted the driver for entering ‘Assam territory’ but did nothing illegal and the driver has gone back to Kolashib in Mizoram.
Jha said, “Assam Forest staff along with the Assam Police went to the Kachurthal Balicherra area and noticed that a road was being constructed inside the constitutional boundary of Assam and instructed the driver to stop the construction and immediately return to Mizoram. Assam police informed the Mizoram resident that he has trespassed into the land of Assam and he shall be arrested under relevant sections of CrPC if the construction is not slopped. The driver immediately stopped the construction and on fear of arrest, went back to Kolasib district.”
“It was a routine intervention to stop illegal encroachment within the constitutional boundary of Assam. The allegations mentioned in your letter are baseless and fictitious,” he added.
