Guwahati: The Assam-Mizoram border standoff on Monday took a bloody turn as six Assam police personnel were killed in firing between Mizoram police as both the state administration accused each other for instigating the violence.
The Chief Ministers of both the states sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s urgent intervention to resolve the dispute.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the evening informed about the death of the six Assam police personnel in the firing in the trouble torn area of Lailapur between Assam-Mizoram border.
The Assam Chief Minister tweeted "I am deeply pained to inform that six brave jawans of Assam police have sacrificed their lives while defending the constitutional boundary of our state at the Assam-Mizoram border. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family."
According to reports, Supritendent of Cachar district along with 20 officials and civilians were injured and several vehicles were damaged in clashes.
Meanwhile, Mizoram government has issued a statement which stated that around 200 Assam armed Police led by IGP, Assam Policem, accompanied by DC, SP, and DFO of Cachar district came to the auto-rickshaw stand of Vairengte town in Mizoram in the morning of July 26 at around 1130 hrs
They forcibly crossed the duty post manned by CRPF personnel stationed there and overran a duty post manned by 1 section of Mizoram police personnel. The Assam Police also damaged several vehicles that were travelling along the National Highway between Vairengte and Lailapur areas.
Upon learning of the arson committed by Assam Police, residents of Vairengte town, Kolasib district proceeded to the site to inquire. These unarmed civilians were assaulted by Assam Police by lathi charging them and firing tear gas, thereby causing injuries to several civilians, the statement said.
The confrontation continued and a volley of tear gas canisters and grenades were launched at Mizoram Police followed by firing from Assam side at around 1650 hrs, the statement added.
"Mizoram Police responded spontaneously by firing back at Assam Police in spite of the fact that SP, Kolasib District was still inside CRPF duty camp negotiating with the Assam Police authorities," it further said.
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