Mizoram Highway left free; "under immense pressure", locals agree to withdraw blockade; trucks start plying

Hundreds of trucks started moving in Mizoram after the economic blockade has been removed. The National Highway that connects Mizoram with the rest of the world was blocked by irked, agitating locals. Their demand was that unless the Mizoram government withdraws forces from the territory inside Assam they won’t remove the blockade.

However, after today’s meeting with DC Cachar and DC Kolashib, the locals have decided to withdraw the blockade. “We were under immense pressure,” said Dilbag Hussain, one of the protesters.

Other protesters, who were invited to the meeting also echoed the same. “They refused to discuss the border issue and whenever we tried to discuss it, they dodged. Strange that DC Cachar also did not say a word about the border dispute. They only wanted to discuss the blockade and they were basically here to take their trucks into the state,” added Dilbag.

Not only in the meeting but the protesters said that they were pressurised externally by Assam Police too. “They kept saying that there is pressure from CM’s office and there is no other way. But surprisingly, they have nothing to say about the forces deployed inside Assam’s territory,” said another protestor who was in the meeting.

When asked about the condition under which the protesters agreed to withdraw the blockade, DIG Southern Range Dilip Kumar Dey said, “The government of Mizoram assured that the truck drivers will be provided safety and security and their wellbeing will be taken care of. Also, Mizoram Police will escort them inside the state. That was the promise laid on the table.”

About the pressure on protesters, DIG said, “It took a lot of persuasions and yes, we did convince them. After the assurance from the Mizoram government, we went to the locals and communicated it to them so that they understand what has been laid on the table. Eventually, they themselves decided to withdraw the blockade.”