Mizoram alleges assault & kidnap of JCB Operator by Assam Police, writes to DC Hailakandi

Sept. 2: Inspite of peace agreement between Assam and Mizoram, the border dispute appears to assume an ugly look day by day. Following the shoot out at Lailapur by Mizoram Police in which 6 Assam Police personnel lost their lives, there were sporadic incidents where complaints and counter- complaints were lodged by both the sides.

On Thursday, Mizoram accused Assam Police of assaulting and kidnapping a civilian construction worker from the disputed border between the two states. In a letter written to his counterpart in Hailakandi district of Assam, Deputy Commissioner of Kolasib in Mizoram, H. Lalthlangliana on 2 September, it was stated that, “This afternoon at Aitlang in Pu Laingaisanga’s land where road construction connecting jhum land is undertaken by the farmers using Excavator JCB Reg. No. MZ05 A 4464, Assam Police went to disrupt their activity and 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.”

DC Kolasib further alleged that, “He (JCB operator) was then dragged by the river, ripped off his clothes and threatened for his life. His mobile Phone along with JCB keys was taken by the Assam Police. This is considered a very serious issue and a huge setback towards the initiatives for peace until now; and can further aggravate using forces between the deployed forces around this area.”

Saying so, DC Kolasib urged immediate intervention by District Magistrate Hailakandi into the situation and to take necessary action towards “the perpetrator as well as to positively return the items taken away by the Assam Police to the JCB Owner and Operator at the earliest.”

A few days ago, Mizoram Police filed an FIR wherein it was alleged that Assam Police has stolen contruction materials entering into their territory. Hailakandi Police maintained that the Mizos were constructing a culvert by encroaching the territory of Assam. However, as a good gesture, Assam Police returned the construction materials which they seized from the Assam’s territory where Mizo’s were allegedly constructing a culvert.