Singhal, Parimal reaches Assam-Mizoram border, urge local people to lift economic blockade to Mizoram

August 7: Minister for Environment and Forest, Fisheries and Excise, Parimal Suklabaidya and Minister for GDD, Urban Development and Irrigation cum Guardian Minister, Cachar, Ashok Singhal visited Lailapur along the Assam-Mizoram inter-state border on Saturday to persuade the locals to lift the economic blockade and to create an atmosphere paving the way for restoration of peace and tranquility.

It is in this backdrop, that the Gaurdian Minister of Cachar, Ashok Singhal and Parimal Suklabaidya reached Silchar on Saturday afternoon and had a brief discussion with Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi Jalli and Sueprintendent of Police, Ramandeep Kaur. After the discussion, the two ministers made a move towards Lailapur at Assam Mizoram border to oversee resumption of interstate vehicular movement.

At the direction of Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, both the ministers visited the Lailapur Police Outpost along the inter-state border and persuaded the locals to allow the free movement of vehicles laden with essential goods to Mizoram and to ease tension along the border.

However, as per reports, before the ministers would formally allow the trucks towards Mizoram, some vehicles started their onward move, which infuriated the local people who started pelting stones at the vehicles. People were angered at the killing of six Assam Police personnel and injuring around 50 others in indiscriminate firing on 26 July. A huge number of people gathered in front of Lailapur Police Outpost. Later on, due to the intervention of the two ministers, Deputy Commissioner and Police Super, the situation was brought under control.

The ministers along with the DC, SP and other senior officials of Cachar held talks with the locals and urged them to withdraw the economic blockade and to create an atmosphere paving the way for restoration of peace and tranquility along the inter-state border. “The safety of the local people is our responsibility and we assure you all necessary support,” assured Minister Suklabaidya to the representatives of NGOs, leading citizens of the area, apart from Silchar Truck Drivers’ Association and Nagatilla Truck Owners’ Association.

The Ministers urged the people to refrain from any further protests or any unwanted circumstances along the routes to Mizoram to ensure smooth flow of essentials to the neighbouring state. Finally, the local people resorting to economic blockade have agreed to withdraw the blockade and that movement of scores of stranded trucks on the Assam side of the border is most likely to begin tonight.