Border clashes between Assam, Mizoram escalate into violence. What next?

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal telephoned Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga after clashes were reported along the disputed Assam-Mizoram border. Sonowal, who had earlier apprised the PMO and Union home ministry about the prevailing situation, urged Zoramthanga to ensure joint efforts to address the situation. Multiple injuries were reported in the melee. 

What happened at the border, and what is the dispute about?

Violence struck regions near Vairengte village in Mizoram, and Lailapur in Assam. Vairengte in Kolasib district is on the northern edges of Mizoram, which the NH-306 links to Lailapur in Cachar district of Assam. According to multiple reports, Vairengte residents mobbed the region after stone-pelting was reported from some Assamese locals. The Vairengte residents set fire to Lailapur bamboo huts and stalls along the road. Kolasib Deputy Commissioner H. Lalthangliana told The Indian Express: "There is no clear line indicating the Assam-Mizoram border in some areas. According to an agreement between governments of Assam and Mizoram some years ago, status quo should be maintained in no-man’s land in the border area. However, people from Lailapur broke the status quo and allegedly constructed some temporary huts. People from Mizoram side went and set fire to them.”

Mizoram shares a 164.6 km border with Assam. The two states are often at loggerheads over the boundary, which they dispute. Several dialogues held since 1995 to resolve the border dispute have yielded little result. Recently, a standoff took place near Thinghlun village in Mizoram's Mamit district on the border with Assam's Karimganj, when Assam officials allegedly demolished a farm hut erected on the disputed land.

Mizoram claims a 509-square-miles stretch of the inner-line reserve forest notified in 1875 as the actual boundary; tensions are also sometimes aggravated by what both sides refer to as "illegal cutting of trees". 

Volunteers are currently guarding the border to check the movement of the people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent violence could have been sparked by the fallout of the demolition of a makeshift hut used by local volunteers who guard the inter-state border near the Saihaipui V village, about 3km from Vairengte, according to Lalthangliana. 

Mizoram's MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo, who is camping at Vairengte, told news agency PTI that his state is not hostile to Assam or its people, but is protecting its territory from infiltration by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who are living in the border areas. He claimed that more than 80 per cent of people living along the Assam-Mizoram border are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Inter-state talks next?

On Sunday, the Mizoram state cabinet held an emergency meeting. Chief Minister Zoramthanga tweeted, “I sincerely request everyone to maintain peace and to kindly not bypass any administrative proceedings.”

Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana said the Mizoram government has urged Assam to make efforts to defuse the tension and restore peace and tranquility in the border area. He alleged that recently troubles were created by Assam at three border points—Thinghlun in Mamit district, and Saihapui V and Vairengte, both in Kolasib. He said: "We are not trying to encroach on Assam's territory but faithfully protecting our land at all cost."

Assam forest Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya, who is the MLA of Dholai in Cachar, visited Lailapur and released a statement that the incident was the handiwork of miscreants to create disturbance in the community. 

Assam and Mizoram on Wednesday stressed on coordination to avert any future standoff. The two states committed to settle the border dispute at a district-level meeting. Police police outposts will be set up by both the states in the disputed area where the border standoff took place recently. 

-Inputs from agencies