GUWAHATI: Assam has formally reminded Mizoram to dismantle three camps and a bunker and withdraw forces from these camps in Hailakandi district to honour the mutually agreed peace agreement between the two states signed on August 5 to de-escalate the border tension after the flare-up in August 26 in which six Assam Police personnel were shot dead by Mizoram Police.
Deputy commissioner of Assam’s Hailakandi district Rohan Jha in a letter to his Kolasib district counterpart in Mizoram said the two camps and one bunker, set up by Mizoram Police on August 26, 2021, in the inner line reserve forests in the Kachurthal Balicherra area and Hailakandi district, were asked to be dismantled on August 27, “but there was no action taken from your end to de-escalate the issue”.
“Thus, you are once again requested to dismantle the 2 camps and 1 bunker built on 26th of August, the camp built on 2nd of September, 2021 and order Mizoram Police at these camps to return to Kolasib district and not undertake any fresh construction in the border areas to avoid law and order situation. Further, it is imperative that the jhum farmers residing in the inter-border areas in Kolasib district should be counseled and instructed by your good office, not to start any new construction within the constitutional boundary of Assam in the inter-state border area.”
Jha’s letter was sent after Kolasib DC on September 2 wrote to him alleging kidnapping of a Mizo driver of an excavator by Assam Police.
Kolasib DC Dr H Lalthangliana wrote, “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 damaged the door of excavator and snatched the keys from the JCB operator Pu Lalnarammawia. Further, 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 to the river, his clothes ripped off and threatened.”
In his reply, Jha wrote, “…there was no illegal act done by the Assam Police, but 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.”
Jha’s letter says, “Today, on the 2nd of September, 2021, 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 shall be arrested under relevant sections of CrPC, if the construction is not slopped. The driver immediately stopped the construction and fearing arrest, went back to Kolasib district.”
Jha said such instances of construction and force deployment inside the constitutional boundary of Assam “are in clear violation of the joint statement issued by both the governments on the August 5” and “are very detrimental in the peace-keeping efforts along the interstate border”.
