Border dispute: FIR against CM of Assam in Mizoram

Guwahati, Dt

The Assam-Mizoram border dispute does not go unnoticed. However, the turbulent Assam-Mizoram border remained calm on Saturday. At the same time, Assam sought to ease tensions with other neighboring states in the Northeast over the complex issues of interstate borders. In Mizoram, on the other hand, an FIR has been registered against Assam Chief Minister Hemant Bishwa Sarma in Kolasib. Earlier, police in both the states had issued summons to each other's officers. Regarding the FIR against him, the Assam Chief Minister said that he would be involved in the investigation there.

Mizoram police have registered a case against the Assam chief minister on charges of attempted murder and criminal conspiracy in connection with the July 8 clashes. Apart from Chief Minister Hemanta Bishwa Sarma, Mizoram police have also named four Assam police officers and two bureaucrats in the FIR. Apart from this, a case has also been registered against 200 unidentified police personnel.

Mizoram police have alleged in their complaint that 200 armed police personnel, led by the IGP, attacked 20 of their police officers and tried to seize their police camp by encroaching on reserved forest land. According to the FIR, the number of Mizoram police was very low. On learning of the incident, Kolasib SP rushed to the spot and tried to communicate with the Assam Police, but the Assam Police was not ready to listen.

Mizoram police said that all this has happened on the instructions of the Chief Minister of Assam. Assam Police told SP Kolasib that the area is on the border of Assam and they have come to set up camp on the instructions of the Chief Minister. Earlier, Assam Police had issued summons to six Mizoram officials in connection with the incident. All have been asked to report to the Dholai police station on August 2. The Assam Police has issued summons to the Deputy Commissioner of Mizoram Police and SP rank officers, calling the Mizoram police action too big.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Hemant Bishwa Sarma said in reference to the FIR against him that he would join the Mizoram police investigation. He, however, questioned why the neutral investigative body was not investigating the incident. He further questioned the rationale of the FIR against him and six officials from Assam.

In addition, Mizoram police has also summoned Assam officials to appear by August 1. Mizoram police have asked the Assam chief secretary and DGP to appear before the police. Violent clashes broke out between Assam and Mizoram police on July 9. Seven Assam police personnel were killed in the incident. The governments of Assam and Mizoram have been making accusations since the conflict.