Firing in Kachurtal; Assam-Mizoram broder-tension continues

By barakbulletin On March 10, 2018 - 8:11 pm

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After dialogues and lathi-charge failed to normalise Assam-Mizroram border, today officials (Assam Police and Central Reserve Police Force) had to resort to rounds of firing to stop mass encroachment. As per latest reports Mizo Student Union MZP leader Ricky got shot in his leg and is now admitted in a nearby hospital in Bhairabi. Assam government has deputed more security personnels to control the hostile situation in Kachurtal, Assam-Mizoram border.

Mizo Student Leader Ricky shot in the leg

Many organisations from Mizoram one of which is MZP (Mizo Zirlai Pawl) despite repeated warnings marched in Assam’s territory today claiming it to be a part of Mizoram. Officials in Assam Police informed us that only after the Mizo encroachers pelted stones at them they were compelled to take action. “144 was imposed in the area and it was announced loud and clear that any kind of mass movement will not be entertained but they refused to obey any legal proceedings…” said a senior police official from Ramanthpur Police Station in Hailakandi District.

Hailakandi District’s Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan visited the hostile areas, he on microphone said, “We will not bow down, we will not let you encroach an inch of our land. If needed we will depute more security personnel so request you, brothers and sisters please back off.” If hostility is not controlled immediately it might lead to an interstate tension.

It all started on February 27, 2018 near national highway 154 at Kachurtal area in Hailakandi district, Assam. MZP had stationed a signboard stating the land belongs to MZP and this is a site for Zofate Chawlbhuk. They had also built a waiting-shed with wooden benches, they claim that the land originally belonged to the family of first Chief Minister of Mizoram Ch. Chhunga and the family has now donated the land to the youth organisation MZP.

Mizo Student Union leaders hurt in lathi charge

Assam police with the help of state forest department demolished the shed built by the Mizo organisation and the two states had official exchanges and Assam government clearly mentioned it to the counterpart that the land belongs to Assam and encroachment will not be tolerated. On March 7 the MZP decided to re-build the waiting shed exactly at the same location. Since then the two parties had several confrontations. Few journalists too got vandalised in the lathi-charge they accuse Assam Police and CRPF of beating them despite showing their identity cards.

It is not the first time Assam and Mizoram has got engaged in a heated confrontation, Police officer of Ramanthpur area informed us that Mizoram often engages in such encroachment activities and they have taken a lot of Assam’s land already by doing such “Gunda Gardi”.