New Delhi: Weeks after a ghastly border conflict between Mizoram and Assam police over disputed border issue, the former has lodged a theft case against Assam police on Saturday.
In a letter addressed to Hailakandi (in Assam) deputy commissioner, Dr H Lalthlangliana, deputy commissioner of Kolasib (in Mizoram) said that on Friday at around 12 noon, Assam police on duty entered into Mizoram territory in Zophai, Bairabari, where the bridge construction is undergoing to connect the main road with the paddy field owned by Pu Ch. Chhunga, the first Chief Minister of Mizoram.
"Assam police created problems for the workers on the site and even stole some construction materials including pieces of iron rods, etc," said Dr Lalthlangliana.
He said that a police case against theft of construction materials has been filed against Assam police at Bairabi police station.
"I would like to reiterate that this incident may not be considered border issue as it is ongoing construction works for connecting road. However, government servants committing an act that can be interpreted as theft towards government property is very disappointing and considered very serious. I, therefore, request you as district magistrate to kindly take necessary action," Dr Lalthlangliana added.
As many as six Assam police personnel have lost their lives in an ongoing border conflict with Mizoram on July 26.
READ: Assam-Mizoram confict: After fresh firing, bureaucrat writes to counterpart
Meanwhile, a joint action committee on boundary issues from Mizoram has demanded setting up a boundary commission for settlement, delimitation and demarcation of the boundary between Mizoram and Assam.
Members of the delegation have recently submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Guwahati.
"We demand a boundary commission to settle the boundary issue. On an earlier occasion too we have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Vancal Dushak, senior advisor of the joint action committee.
The committee has demanded that 389 square miles inner line reserved forest area in possession of the Assam government should be handed over to Mizoram.
"For the people of Mizoram, the only known and accepted boundary between Mizoram and Assam is the Inner Line of 1875 on the southern frontier of Cachar district, notified on August 20, 1875, under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873," said Dushak.
He said that the Mizos never accepted the boundary fixed by the British as proposed by the government of Assam after April 1, 1898.
"The present so-called boundary line was arbitrarily made in 1930 and 1933 without the consent and approval of the competent authorities," Dushak added.
