Mizoram Congress accuses Sushmita Dev, Debabrata Saikia for "creating political scenes" inside Mizo-territory

The leader of Opposition in Assam- Debabrata Saikia along with Mahila Congress president, Sushmita Dev, North Karimganj MLA, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, a former minister in Assam Ajit Singh visited Assam-Mizoram inter-state border in both Cachar and Karimganj.

The Congress delegation went to take stock of the situation in the border after an innocent resident of Assam was allegedly abducted by Mizo miscreants and later found dead in Mizoram’s custody. Soon after that, a school operated by the government of Assam was bombed in the border. As many as three blasts took place and again the Mizo miscreants are alleged to be behind the terrorism.

The Congress delegation was stopped and abused by the protesting Mizos inside the territory of Assam. The delegation was asked to go back many times. However, Congress MLAs and former MP sat on their vehicles and raced to the Vairengte Gate which is the actual border. After reaching the gate, Sushmita Dev said, “This is where Mizoram begins and rest is all Assam.” She said to a local police officer, “We all are in India, you are Indian and so am I so, it is necessary that we behave ourselves.”

The Congress delegation also took a jibe at the North East Democratic Alliance and said under Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership it has turned out to be a North East Disaster Alliance. “Government of Assam and Government of Mizoram are part of this alliance and yet there is bloodshed in the border. That means the alliance is nothing but a disaster,” said Sushmita Dev.

While Debabrata Saikia and Sushmita Dev were trying to expose the lack of coordination within NEDA, peers in their own party have now started taking a jibe. Dr.Lallianchhunga speaking with Barak Bulletin as the Spokesperson of the Congress party in Mizoram said, “I would like to appeal to Assam Congress leaders not to create political scenes inside Mizoram territory. The Congress party in Mizoram stands with the people of Mizoram for reclaiming our territory as per the Inner Line of 1875. The Mizoram territory based on the Peace Accord signed by MNF and Gov’t of India in 1986 is not acceptable to the Mizo people.”

Congress’ nominee for Upper House from Mizoram, Dr.Lallianchhunga also took a jibe at NEDA but only after criticising his colleagues in Congress. He said everybody believes the present border clashes are masterminded by BJP leaders in Assam to garner popular support in the border areas in view of the coming Assembly elections in their state. “At the same time, their NEDA partner, Mizo National Front (MNF) happens to be the ruling party in Mizoram. The people are being kept in the dark as there is no attempt to find a political solution between the political leaders from both sides. To date, only State officials from both sides are engaged to find an administrative solution, which will not be lasting,” said Dr.Lallianchhunga.

Adding, “What we really need is a political will from both NEDA partners for a permanent solution. Why don’t they use the NEDA platform for solving our border problems before the people are suffering much and before it is too late.”

It shows that when it comes to Mizoram, the consensus is a crisis in Congress too.