Mizos constructing RCC building, breaching status quo; “Will report,” says Cachar DFO

After Barak Bulletin reported fresh encroachment in the Assam-Mizoram border at Lailapur, the Cachar administration went to inspect the site and remained astounded. Mizoram side is far from ending the border flare-up with its neighboring Assam, as it continues with new techniques to breach the border and encroach Assam forest land.

Just days after axing hundred of trees and gutting them to fire, the Mizoram unscrupulous have now started constructing concrete structures, at least 3km inside the accepted border, and erecting RCC buildings.

On Thursday, Cachar DFO Sunnydeo Choudhury along with other forest officials visited the Lailapur area in Dholai range and was astounded to find the construction. He got the construction work stopped but soon after his departure, the Mizos were seen to disobey the officials.

“Mizoram had never stopped illegal construction inside the Assam land, despite the deployment of armed forces. Daily hundred of plants are mowed down and set ablaze by the Mizos in Rengti hills, throwing a massive negative impact over the ecosystem,” a local journalist said in the condition of anonymity, as he resides close to border.

Cachar DFO Sunnydeo Choudhury, visiting the location, mentioned that the area comes under Inner Line Reserve Forest where construction has to be done following a definite set of rules. “During the last meeting of home secretaries from both the state, it was decided of maintaining status quo and no new constructions are to be performed. But how they have unilaterally changed the decision is stupefying,” Choudhury said.

The DFO was also accompanied by Border DSP Saroj Kumar Hazarika who toured different areas of the border.

Later speaking with Barak Bulletin over phone, the Cachar DFO mentioned that they will raise the matter at the appropriate forum and get the construction stopped. On alleged demarcation being put by Mizo unscrupulous using bamboo sticks at Rengti hills, the DFO took to say “A land cannot be occupied just putting a piece of bamboo.”

All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students Association (ACKHSA) Rupam Nandi Purkayastha on Wednesday urged the state government to immediately intervene and stop the massive deforestation of Assam’s flora.

Mizoram shares a 164.6-km border with three districts of Assam. Several dialogues held since 1995 to resolve the border dispute have yielded little results. The two states are often at loggerheads over the boundary, which they dispute.