The silence of the ruling Congress over the boundary issue which had triggered violence at Bairabi along Assam-Mizoram border has drawn flak from the opposition in Mizoram on Saturday. The opposition has criticized the Lal Thanhawla government for remaining a mute spectator to border dispute.
The Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), BJP and People’s Representative for Identity and Status for Mizos (PRISM) slammed the Congress led government for failing to take measure over the Assam-Mizoram border dispute.
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The ongoing border dispute escalated when the MZP, the state’s apex student body members trying to reconstruct a rest shed were lathi charged by Assam police on Thursday at Zophai, near Bairabi in the northern Kolasib district.
Former chief secretary of the state and chairman of Val Upa Council of Zoram People’s Movement said that several attempts were made in the past to resolve Mizoram – Assam boundary dispute but no political party in the state has given importance to that.
“Had Mizoram in the past has political party with a resolve to settle the boundary issue, none of this would have happened, the disputed area are legitimately within the boundary of Mizoram,” Lalfakzuala said.
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A former IPS officer and DGP of Mizoram FLR Siama took on the state government for not providing adequate intelligence and that the untoward situation happened because of Lal Thawhawla’s administrative failure.
“It is a clear sign of intelligence failure on the part of the police and administrative failure on the part of the government, the Assam police had deployed 300 police personnel while Mizoram was left unguarded, the same must not be repeated,” FLR Siama said.
On Thursday, over 20 members of MZP attempted to reconstruct rest shed on a land belonging to former chief minister of Mizoram Ch Chhunga at Zophai near Assam Mizoram border. The Assam Police deployed there resorted to lathi charge as a result the students and other people present at the site and journalists were injured.
The incident has caused outrage with various opposition political parties, Mizoram Journalist Association and civil societies condemning the attack. The opposition parties also slammed the state government for failing to intervene and being ‘silent’ on the incident.
Prism has issued a statement saying that the Congress government had totally failed in guarding the boundaries of Mizoram and that if voted to power they would use an iron-hand policy if required.
“Tracing back to the records of the British Rajs, the disputed areas along the border belong to Mizoram,” the ZNP statement said.
Tensions still prevail at the Bairabi border with volunteers of Mizo Zirlai Pawl determined in their attempt to reconstruct the rest shed. Volunteers of the student body and neighbouring Mizo villages have camped at the disputed area in an attempt to reconstruct the shed.
“About 50 student volunteers joined our camp today, we had a discussion with Hailakandi DC but of no avail, we are not going home until a shed is rebuilt or the two governments reach a settlement,” L Ramdinliana Renthlei, president of MZP who is at the boundary student camp told Northeast Now.