"We have 10 times more forces than Mizoram but we follow directions and don't behave like goons" DIG South Assam

Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, DC Cachar Keerthi Jalli, DIG South Assam  Dilip Kumar Dey reached Lailapur wailing the siren of their airconditioned VVIP Car to meet the family member of 40-year-old Intiaz Ali Laskar. Laskar, according to the media statement issued by the Chief Minister of Assam’s office was “abducted by miscreants” and died in Mizoram’s custody.

The family members of Intiaz, neighbours and people of Dholai Legislative Assembly Constituency had hit the roads today evening demanding justice for Intiaz Ali. “Unless the culprits are nabbed and brought to justice we will not receive the body,” said the protesting residents of Assam.

Irked by the constant aggression, they questioned the role of Assam Police and Assam Government. “In front of everyone, they gave consent that they will withdraw forces and return from Assam’s land that they have encroached and built camps. They did not do that. Instead, they bombed our school, burnt our shops and dwellings and forced hundreds of people to leave their house and seek refuge. Today, they abducted our people and killed them. Now they are trying to frame him as a smuggler and our Police leave us like orphans and our government just abandon us,” said another resident who had to leave his house and seek refuge in Dholai.

The DIG of Assam Police’s Southern range condemned the actions. “We have ten times more forces than Mizoram but we follow the directions and don’t behave like goons,” he said when asked why Assam Police is so soft. Especially, when the Indian Reserve Mizoram is stopping and threatening officers from Cachar like the DFO.

The DIG added that a high-level meeting was called and the details have been shared with the top officials in both Central and State Government. “Appropriate action will be taken. We have also involved the National Human Rights Commission into it to check if the guidelines in place for custodial death are followed,” added DIG.

The DIG also mentioned that both school-bombing and this abduction-murder cases must be investigated by a central agency like the NIA and Assam Police will officially demand the same. Sources in Home Ministry informed that NIA is likely to investigate the matter.

Minister Parimal Suklabaidya blamed previous governments and said the problem is in the history of Assam. “Why did we allow the state to be broken into so many parts in the first place? That is the root of all miseries. Every year, a few so-called NGOs in Mizoram gather and create a nuisance. This has become a mode of income for these miscreants,” said Suklabaidya.

He added that it is obvious the people will go back to their houses. “Mizoram has encroached almost three kilometers into Assam’s territory. The people who were living in that territory had to leave their houses and now they go back to take stock of their belongings. That is when the Mizo miscreants camping on those areas create a nuisance. We keep hearing that they have detained one or two residents of Assam almost every day,” said Suklabaidya.

One of the journalists, astonished by the Minister’s submissive response, especially when he himself is accepting that there has been illegal encroachment, counter questioned, the party in Centre, the party in Assam and the party in Mizoram are all allies, so, why is this issue not getting solved? Is there a political benefit in sustaining the tension? Suklabaidya replied, “The issue lies in the past, no government can sort it overnight.”

The situation, after the VVIPs visited have become calm and the crowd has segregated. The CM has asked DGP Assam to visit the spot and take stock of the situation. What happens tomorrow when the body returns to Assam, remains to be seen.