New Delhi: The chief ministers of Assam and Mizoram — the former a member of the BJP, the latter an ally under the NDA — exchanged allegations on Twitter Monday amid tensions between the states over their border.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Mizoram CM Zoramthanga of the Mizo National Front (MNF) both urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in the Northeast over the weekend, to intervene and bring an immediate end to the crisis.
The two states share a 164.6-km border between the Assamese districts of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj, and Mizoram’s Kolasib, Mamit and Aizawl districts.
The dispute, centred on the exact definition of the boundary, dates around 50 years back to the formation of Mizoram, which was first carved out of the erstwhile Assam state as a Union territory in 1972 before being made a full-fledged state in 1987.
The latest round of tensions between the states flared up last month when Mizoram accused Assam Police of seizing an area named Aitlang hnar in Kolasib — located 5 km from the Vairengte village, which borders Assam.
Allegations of intrusions from both sides have culminated in violence at the tense border, and this is what the two CMs sparred about on social media. The tiff came close on the heels of a meeting between Shah, on a two-day visit to Meghalaya over the weekend, and the chief ministers of the northeastern states.
The home minister said Saturday the Centre is keen on resolving the boundary disputes between northeastern states.
Also Read: All about Assam-Mizoram border dispute, which dates back 50 yrs & still remains unresolved
Twitter row
Zoramthanga shared a video clipping on Twitter Monday noon that purportedly showed police trying to control a group of men armed with sticks. Urging Shah to look into the matter, the CM said “this needs to be stopped now”.
Shri @AmitShah ji….kindly look into the matter.
This needs to be stopped right now.#MizoramAssamBorderTension @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @himantabiswa @dccachar @cacharpolice pic.twitter.com/A33kWxXkhG
— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 26, 2021
In reply to the tweet, Assam Police alleged that “miscreants from Mizoram are indulging in stone-pelting” and attacking government officials from Assam stationed at Lailapur in Cachar district.
It's unfortunate that large number of miscreants from Mizoram are indulging in stone pelting and such forms of attack at Assam Government Officials, stationed at Lailapur to protect Assam's land from encroachment.
— Assam Police (@assampolice) July 26, 2021
Minutes later, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shared another clip, and alleged that a Mizoram superintendent of police was asking Assam government officials to withdraw from their post, warning them that the violence by civilians won’t stop until they do. He tagged Zoramthanga in the tweet.
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 @AmitShah @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/72CWWiJGf3
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2021
“Mizoram SP is asking us to withdraw from our post until then their civilians won’t listen nor stop violence. How can we run a government in such circumstances? Hope you will intervene at earliest,” Sarma said, tagging both Shah and the PM’s office.
Zoramthanga then shared another video and said an innocent couple was “manhandled and ransacked by thugs and goons” on their way back to Mizoram via Cachar.
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
He also hit back at Sarma’s allegation about the Mizoram SP, accusing Assam Police and civilians of “lathi-charging” and using “tear gas” on civilians at Vairengte Auto Rickshaw stand inside Mizoram.
This, he said, comes as a “surprise” after “a cordial meeting of CMs with Amit Shah”.
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
In his final tweet on the row, Sarma said he had spoken to his Mizoram counterpart, and “reiterated” that Assam would maintain status quo and peace.
I have just spoken to Hon’ble Chief Minister @ZoramthangaCM 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 disscuss these issues if need be @AmitShah @PMOIndia
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 26, 2021
In response, the Mizoram CM called for Assam Police to “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
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
Also Read: Assam, Mizoram agree to resolve 11-day boundary stand-off after home ministry intervenes