Explosives not seized on July 26 but on June 21: Mizoram Police

After the NIA reportedly started a probe into the seizure of explosives in Mizoram, the Mizoram Police on Saturday denied that the explosives were seized on Monday, the day when a bloody clash took place between police forces of Mizoram and Assam.

On Monday (July 26), six Assam policemen and a civilian died in the clash between Assam and Mizoram Police over a border dispute.

The denial came within hours after a news agency reported that National Investigation Agency (NIA) began a probe into seizure of explosive case in Mizoram.

“National Investigation Agency (NIA) starts a probe in explosive case of Mizoram. The agency took over the case from state police on July 29. Explosives were found on July 26,” the agency reported quoting sources in NIA.

Reacting to the reports, Mizoram Police said no explosives were seized on July 26 but on June 21 in Champhai near the Myanmar border and it was not aware of the transfer of the case to NIA.

“No explosives were seized on 26th July . Explosives were seized on 21st June at Champhai. Persons have been arrested in that case. That case is not linked to Assam – Mizoram border dispute. Also, we are not aware of the transfer of the case,” the Mizoram Police said.

Located in the eastern fringe of the state bordering Myanmar, Champhai town is about 188 km from state capital and about 310 km from Vairengte, the northern fringe of the state where a border clash took place on July 26.

Earlier on June 21, troops of Assam Rifles recovered a large haul of explosives bound for Myanmar near Farkawn village in Champhai district.

The war-like stores recovered included over 1.31 ton of Class II CAT -ZZ explosive powder, 3,925 detonators and 2,000 metres of safety fuse, Assam Rifles had said in a statement earlier.

Two persons were apprehended for transporting the items and were later handed over to the state police, the statement had said.

Later on that day (June 21), Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), an influential student body in the state, lodged an FIR against the apprehended persons for impersonation.