Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo has written to his Assam counterpart, Jishnu Barua asking him to give consent to the Mizoram government’s request to send police forces up to Silchar to escort all the stranded vehicles bound for Mizoram, along the National Highway-306.
The letter said drivers have completely lost confidence in Assam police after they were deserted by the latter at Lailapur.
“The district administrations of Kolasib and Cachar can work out the detailed logistics. As the issue has gained much urgency, I request your quick positive response in the matter,” the letter quoted Chuaungo.
Chuaungo also said the Cachar district administration had sent some policemen to the Mizoram house in Silchar around 1 am on Saturday to escort drivers, who were stranded there.
The Assam Police personnel who escorted oil tankers carrying POL from Mizoram House in Silchar to Mizoram left them near Lailapur to fend for themselves, thereby exposing them to grave danger.
They barely managed to escape from the attack of some armed persons, who threatened and prevented them from proceeding towards Mizoram.
Chuango asked Barua to enquire about the incident and fix responsibilities for putting at risk the lives of these helpless drivers.
The Mizoram chief secretary also pointed out that blockade on the national highway continued despite assurance from his Assam counterpart during the meeting held on October 29 under the chairmanship of Union home secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
The blockade on National Highway-306, the lifeline of Mizoram, entered the fourth day on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a meeting between deputy commissioners of Mizoram’s Mamit district and Assam’s Karimganj district was held at Ischabeel Tea Estate in Assam on Saturday to defuse tension and cement cooperation, an official statement said.
Both the state governments would take make efforts to establish peace and avert tension in their respective states.
Officials of both districts will also take measures for the resumption of truck movement to transport essential commodities.
Kolasib district deputy commissioner, H. Lalthlangliana vehicle was also blocked by protesters at Vairengte while heading towards Laipui in Cachar district to hold talks with his Cachar district counterpart.