Assam police 'kidnapped' construction worker from disputed border: Mizoram

The ongoing border differences between Assam and Mizoram show no respite, as Mizoram on Thursday accused Assam police of assaulting and kidnapping a civilian construction worker from the disputed border between the two states which had earlier seen a shoot-out between their police forces in July

New Delhi: The ongoing border differences between Assam and Mizoram show no respite, as Mizoram on Thursday accused Assam police of assaulting and kidnapping a civilian construction worker from the disputed border between the two states which had earlier seen a shoot-out between their police forces in July.

Taking strong exception to the incident, Kolasib (Mizoram) Deputy Commissioner Dr H Lalthalangliana wrote a letter to Hailakandi (Assam) deputy commissioner to take strong action against the erring police officials. He cautioned termed the incident as "serious" and a huge setback towards the initiative for peace until now, and can further aggravate the crisis using forces between the deployed forces around this area.

It may be me mentioned that as many as seven people including six Assam police personnel have lost their lives in a border conflict that took place between Assam and Mishran on July 26.

Taking note of the latest development, Dr Lalthalangliana said that on Thursday afternoon at Aitlang in Pu Lalngaisabga's land where road construction connecting jhuk land is undertaken by the farmers using excavator JCB, Assam police went to disrupt their activity and damaged the door of excavator and snatched the keys from JCB operator Pu Lalnarammawia.

"Further the JCB operator was blindfolded and kidnapped with a gun pointed to his head by Assam police wearing commando uniform. He was then dragged by the river, rupee of his clothes and threatened for his life, his mobile phone along with JCB keys were taken by Assam police," said Dr Lalthalangliana.

Both states have differing interpretations of their territorial border. While Mizoram believes that its border lies along an ‘inner line’ drawn up in 1875 to protect tribals from outside influence, Assam goes by a district demarcation done in 1933.