Central Forces to be deployed to stop Mizoram from its armed encroachment into Assam; CS Jishnu Baruah appeals for peace

While Assam bleeds, the state’s top officers appeal for peace. “We must display restraint and exhibit patience,” says Chief Secretary of Assam, Jishnu Baruah. Baruah along with DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta visited Silchar as per the instructions of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

A couple of days back, Lailapur resident Intazul Ali Laskar was abducted and then pronounced dead in the custody of Mizoram. The delegation visited the residence of Ali in Lailapur to grieve with the family and at the same time, handed over the letter of condolence along with ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh.

Several outfits of Mizoram alleged that Intazul Ali Laskar was nabbed by locals while trying to smuggle heroin into the state. However, during today’s press briefing, the chief secretary ruled it out as he said, “An innocent life was lost and we will do a detailed inquiry of the incident.”

Chief Secretary and DGP have held a meeting with the divisional forest officers, deputy commissioners of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi. “After holding discussions, we find there is a possibility of a peaceful solution through dialogue,” said chief secretary Jishnu Baruah.

While the officers in Assam talk about dialogues in Mizoram, NGOs and Students’ Unions have held their bureaucracy in ransom. Yesterday, the locals stopped DC Kolasib from reaching the borders. A couple of days back, huge protests had broken out against DC Mamit as he met the DC Karimganj. In fact, the protesters burnt printed sheets consisting of the minutes of that meeting.

On one side when Assam Government is interacting through top officers like Chief Secretary and DGP, on the other hand, there are a few armed men in charge of the situation. Is a dialogue possible in such a scenario? “It is not only the DC Kolasib that we are dealing with,” replied the chief secretary. “We have many other channels, I am in touch with the home secretary, Government of India and chief secretary of Mizoram. The leaders in Assam are in touch with the leaders there,” he added.

The government of Assam has placed it on the record that the forces deployed by Mizoram have encroached almost three kilometres into Assam. There are residents of Assam who voted in the last assembly and general elections to Lok Sabha, living in that area. How will they feel safe and peaceful when their houses are being burnt and their land is being trespassed. Will they feel safe when their neighbours are getting abducted and killed?

“Central government has indicated that central forces will be deployed in the interstate borders. It is possible that the forces will reach in the next couple of days. This is being done to ensure safety to the people living in the borders and at the same time, restore peace,” said chief secretary Jishnu Baruah.

A school has been bombed, dwellings and shops have been set ablaze and now a man has been killed. The DIG of Assam Police’s southern range has defined these incidents as acts of terrorism. It is clear that the Mizo miscreants are terrorising the locals in Lailapur through these antisocial activities. This is their way of saying “leave or die”. Bombs are not used by common protesters and bombing of a government establishment calls for a different investigation altogether. The chief secretary, however, dodged the question with an inconclusive answer, “Appropriate agencies will investigate the matter under appropriate acts.”

When asked if National Investigation Agency will take it up, the chief secretary said, it is too early to make a comment.

About the border dispute, the chief secretary of Assam said, “Assam’s boundary is sacrosanct.” He referred to the State of Mizoram Act. Passed by Parliament of India in 1986 and said that the boundary of Assam is well defined under constitutional provisions and that it must be respected. He added that the boundary of the state can be changed under Article II and III of the Indian constitution but there is a process that needs to be followed.

The delegation will leave for Guwahati today afternoon. The force deployed by Mizoram still stands on its mark in Assam-Mizoram border. Will peace restore while the government of Mizoram holds residents of Assam on gunpoint, it remains to be seen.