Assam- Mizoram border flare up again: FIR lodged against Assam Police for alleged theft of construction materials

Aug. 22: Time and again, Mizo miscreants with the help of Mizoram Police are carrying on acts of aggression within the constitutional territory of Assam. On Friday, the Assam- Mizoram border in Hailakandi once again witnessed a similar act of aggression. Mizoram tried to construct a culvert at an area called Kochurthol in Katlicherra constituency of Hailakandi. On getting this information, a police team from Ramnathpur in Hailakandi went to the spot and prohibited the Mizos to do such construction works. However, this failed to deter them and Mizo miscreants backed by Mizoram IR Batallion tried to construct the culvert at Kochurthol. Meanwhile, Assam Police has cordoned off the entire area.

In the meantime, case has been registered against Assam police in Mizoram’s Bairabi police station for alleged theft of construction materials. Kolasib Deputy Commissioner in a letter to his Hailakandi counterpart in Assam alleged that Assam Police personnel has stolen construction materials.

Deputy Commissioner Kolasib in his letter adressed to DC Hailakandi on 21 August wrote, “I would like to inform you that yesterday i.e., 20th Aug, 2021 at around 12 Noon, Assam Police on duty have entered Mizoram territory in Zophai, Bairabi, where the ongoing bridge construction is undertaken to connect main road with the paddy field owned by Pu Ch. Chhunga, the first Chief Minister of Mizoram. Here, Assam Police created problems for the workers on the site and even stole some construction materials including pieces of iron rods, etc. A Police case against theft of construction materials has been filed against them at Bairabi Police Station.”

“In this regard, I would like to reiterate that this incident may not be considered boundary issue as it is an ongoing construction works for connecting road. However, Government Servant committing an act that can be interpreted as theft towards government property is very disappointing and considered very serious. I therefore, request you as District Magistrate to kindly take necessary action,” added the DC of Kolasib in his letter.

Earlier, after the border flare up at Laipapur, where 6 Assam Police personnel were brutally killed by Mizo forces, both the sides sat for a peace agreement in Aizawl and agreed to deploy central forces along the border. They also agreed to call back their respective state police from the bordering areas. However, though Assam respected the provisions of the peace agreement, Mizoram has been constantly striving to create issues along the border. Last week, a grenade was hurled in a school along the Hailakandi border allegedly by Mizo miscreants. The fresh FIR by Mizoram against Assam Police may make things more ugly between the two neighbouring states.