Assam repulses Mizoram’s attempt to encroach upon forest land in Lailapur of Cachar district

July 12: Around 100 Mizo civilians backed by a company of Mizoram police intruded into the constitutional territory of Cachar district of Assam and disrupted works being undertaken by Assam Forest Department. A jungle tract was being cleared by Forest and PWD officials for taking up forest protection works as repeated efforts are being made from the Mizoram side for deforesting and degrading the Inner Line Reserve Forest.

On Saturday morning, around 25 mts ahead of the already deployed Kulicherra neutral force CRPF camp, Mizo citizens and Mizoram Police barricaded the entry towards Dholakhal Kulicherra stream enroute to Assam’s Upper Phainom LP School which was earlier bombed by Mizo miscreants last year on 7 November.

Assam Police and officials rushed to the spot, but were met by a mob of Mizoram miscreants who threatened the
officials with abusive language and weapons like axe and sickle despite the area being well inside Assam.
Assam police tried to convince them politely and requested them to leave the place, but they straightaway refused to do so. On further requests, they claimed that they will not only move back, but also will not allow people from Assam to enter into the area.

While we display great restraint on ground, I request our Mizo brethren not to attack people or officials or bomb schools and such in Assam.@assampolice stands to help the Forest and District Authorities protect the constitutional boundaries of the state.

— DGP Assam (@DGPAssamPolice) July 11, 2021

With rising tensions, Assam Police pushed the mob back across the Kulicherra stream. Thereafter, Mizoram police and civilians camped across the stream blocking pathway to Upper Phainom School. These Mizoram intruders had willfully come at dawn and blocked Assam forest and other government officials from rendering their duty whilst border talks were taking place between the two states in Delhi. Suspected IED blasts took place on 10 July close to where the Assam Police is camping temporarily.

Further, in the early hours on Sunday, two blasts were also heard close to Kulicherra CRPF camp. However, no damage or casualties have been reported. Situation is under control and close watch. Police and paramilitary forces have been patrolling in Assam border area in Cachar district.