Fresh violence along Assam-Mizoram border triggers Twitter spat between chief ministers

Just two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met chief ministers of all northeastern states, the Assam-Mizoram border saw fresh violence on Monday, prompting the CMs of both states to seek the home minister's intervention in the matter.

At least six jawans of the Assam Police have been killed and several others injured on both sides of the inter-state border after violence erupted in Assam's Cachar district on Monday. The incident occurred less than 48 hours after chief ministers of all northeastern states met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Shillong to discuss border disputes.

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Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga took to Twitter on Monday and posted a video of a mob clashing with the police at the Assam-Mizoram border. The Mizoram chief minister said in the tweet: "Shri @AmitShah ji.kindly look into the matter. This needs to be stopped right now".

Shri @AmitShah ji.kindly look into the matter.

This needs to be stopped right now.#MizoramAssamBorderTnsion @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @himantabiswa @dccachar @cacharpolice pic.twitter.com/A33kWxXkhG — Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 26, 2021

"Innocent couple on their way back to Mizoram via Cachar manhandled and ransacked by thugs and goons. How are you going to justify these violent acts?" he wrote, posting another video of a couple whose vehicle had been allegedly attacked on their way back to the state from Assam.

Soon, a public spat erupted with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma putting out a counter tweet complaining against the superintendent of police (SP) of Kolasib district.

Innoncent couple on their way back to Mizoram via Cachar manhandled and ransacked by thugs and goons.

How are you going to justify these violent acts?@dccachar @cacharpolice @DGPAssamPolice pic.twitter.com/J9c20gzMZQ — Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 26, 2021

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: “Honble @ZoramthangaCM ji , Kolasib (Mizoram) SP is asking us to withdraw from our post until then their civilians won't listen nor stop violence. How can we run government in such circumstances? Hope you will intervene at earliest.”

The Mizoram CM was quick to respond, accusing the Assam police of trespassing into Mizoram and using them against civilians in his state.

"Dear Himanta Ji, after cordial meeting of CMs by Hon'ble Shri Amit Shah Ji, surprisingly 2 companies of Assam Police with civilian's lathicharged & tear gassed civilians at Vairengte Auto Rickshaw stand inside Mizoram today. They even overrun CRPF personnel /Mizoram Police," Mr Zoramthanga tweeted.

Dear Himantaji, after cordial meeting of CMs by Hon’ble Shri @amitshah ji, surprisingly 2 companies of Assam Police with civilians lathicharged & tear gassed civilians at Vairengte Auto Rickshaw stand inside Mizoram today. They even overrun CRPF personnel /Mizoram Police. https://t.co/SrAdH7f7rv — Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 26, 2021

With the situation on ground intensifying further, the Assam chief minister dialed his counterpart in Mizoram in a bid to pacify the situation and even proposed an urgent visit to the neighbouring state to resolve the conflict.

ALSO READ | Tension grips Assam-Mizoram border, security tightened in both areas

"I have just spoken to Hon'ble Chief Minister Zoramthanga Ji. I have reiterated that Assam will maintain status quo and peace between the borders of our state. I have expressed my willingness to visit Aizawl and discuss these issues if need be," he tweeted.

Tagging the prime minister in his response, the Mizoram CM wrote, "Hon'ble Himanta Biswa Ji, as discussed I kindly urge that Assam Police be instructed to withdraw from Vairengte for the safety of civilians."

Hon'ble @himantabiswa ji, as discussed I kindly urge that Assam Police @assampolice be instructed to withdraw from Vairengte for the safety of civilians. @narendramodi @AmitShah @PMOIndia @HMOIndia https://t.co/wHtMPhFRpP — Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 26, 2021

Assam and Mizoram share a boundary spanning 164.6 km.

The interstate border between the two neighbouring states has been on the boil over the last few days following Assam Police's drive to clear illegal encroachments. Things turned ugly when miscreants hurled an IED at a team of Assam officials visiting the border on July 10.

Earlier this month, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla chaired a meeting with the chief secretaries and DGPs of both states in a bid to restore normalcy.