6 Assam cops killed in border dispute with Mizoram

Guwahati, July 26 (UNI): Six Assam police personnel were killed when the inter-state border dispute between Mizoram and Assam worsened on Monday and turned into a full-scale war of words between two governments with each side alleging the other of transgressing into their territory.

Both Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention to solve the dispute.

Shah was on a two-day visit to Meghalaya during the weekend where he held a closed-door meeting with chief ministers of the northeastern states on inter-state border issues.

Amid worsening situation, two chief ministers got involved in heated exchange of words on social media with Mizoram CM Zoramthanga on Twitter showing police trying to stop a clash among men armed with sticks. In reply to the tweet, Assam Police said miscreants from Mizoram were indulging in stone-pelting and attacking Assam government officials stationed at Lailapur to protect Assam’s land from encroachment.

“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,” Sarma tweeted on Monday.

In fact, Sarma and Zorangthanga took to Twitter to flag the border troubles.

At 3.25 pm, Sarma tweeted, “Honble @ZoramthangaCMji, 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.”

Zorangthanga retweeted the video uploaded by Sarma and replied at 4.11 pm, “Dear Himantaji, after cordial meeting of CMs by Hon’ble Shri @amitshah ji, surprisingly 2 companies of Assam Police with civilians lathicharged & tear gassed civilians at Vairengte Auto Rickshaw stand inside Mizoram today. They even overrun CRPF personnel /Mizoram Police.”

He also uploaded a video showing a “couple” sitting inside a car that was damaged by “thugs and goons”. “How are you going to justify these violent acts,” Zoramthanga tweeted at 2.53 pm.

Sarma sought immediate intervention of Shah and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

During the meeting with Shah, Zoramthanga said border disputes in the northeast are a legacy of the colonial era and lasting peace between states is important for further development of the region.