MZP activists intrude into Assam’s territory, attack Assam Police and CRPF personnel; mild lathicharge follows, no one injured
Hailakandi
Activists of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) intruded into Assam’s territory this morning and attacked Assam Police and CRPF personnel leading to a mild lathicharge.
Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, Adil Khan who is at the troubled spot since morning, said that activists of MZP entered into Assam’s territory at Kachurthal in Hailakandi district and attacked Assam Police and para military forces leading to a mild lathicharge. There is no report of any injury.
Khan said that the administration has been trying to defuse the situation and at the same time safeguarding our frontiers. “We have ensured not an inch of Assam’s land is encroached upon,” said Khan while closely monitoring the situation on the border front.
Refuting reports of excesses committed by the administration on the MZP activists, Khan said, “We have acted with utmost restraint and applied minimum force to push back the MZP members when they intruded into Assam’s territory.”
The Deputy Commissioner lamented that though he had repeatedly sought cooperation from adjoining Kolasib district administration of Mizoram to enforce rule of law on its side as Section 144 was in force on Assam side of the interstate border and not to allow gathering of MZP activists, the administration looked the other way.
Not only Deputy Commissioner Khan, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Political, Government of Assam, Alok Kumar also sent a WT message on March 7 to Chief Secretary and DGP, Mizoram to take pre-emptive measures following intelligence reports that activists of MZP were planning to make forays into Assam’s territory at Kachurthal and erect permanent structures, including a church on March 8. Kumar while requesting them to issue necessary instructions to Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Kolasib district to stop members of MZP from encroaching into Assam’s territory ”as any confrontation may lead to serious interstate tensions and law and order situation’. Kumar also urged the Government of Mizoram to maintain status quo and peace along the interstate border.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Khan exuded optimism that a positive outcome will emerge as both the Governments of Assam and Mizoram are engaged in talks at the highest level to resolve the border row. “We are hopeful of a peaceful solution to the border imbroglio soon, as both the Governments are in touch at the highest level,” said Khan.
