Leader of the Opposition takes stock of Assam-Mizoram border situation

Guwahati, Nov.8: The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia took stock of the situation along the Assam-Mizoram interstate border in Cachar district on Sunday.

After visiting the border areas in the morning, Saikia held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli, Superintendent of Police, Bhanwar Lal Meena and other senior officials at the Deputy Commissioner's conference hall in the afternoon.

The Leader of the Opposition placed some suggestions following his visit to the border areas to the district administration for easing tension and restoring normalcy along the inter-state border.

The Leader of the Opposition who was accompanied by senior Congress leader and former MP of Barak Valley Sushmita Dev and MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purjkyastha, in the stock-taking visit, stated that people were living in terror as Mizo people in civil dress, as well as Mizoram Police personal come and threaten the non-Mizo residents of the border area who are residing within the territory of Assam.

“They have put up a barrier on a bridge which was constructed by the Assam Government under PMGSY during 2011-16 when Shri Girendra Mallik was the local MLA. We requested at least 5 to 10 persons be allowed to cross the barrier on the bridge. The Circle Officer of Dholai requested the Mizoram Police personnel they refused us entry and the Assam administration requested us not to insist upon doing so.

Then we went towards the other place, the high school where a bomb blast was triggered on November 6. On the way, we met some persons who are engaged in farming and they told us that they been regularly paying unofficial tax to Mizo people so that their farms are not damaged,” the LoP stated.

   Following are the steps suggested by the LoP to restore normalcy in the area:
    1). Push back the Mizoram Police to the location they were in till the first week of October.
2). Set up BOP along the border.
3). Evict offices etc., set up by the Mizoram Government beyond Vairangte.
4). Ensure grant of compensation by Mizoram Government for the deceased and employment by Assam govt for the next of kin.
5). Assistance for treatment of the injured persons.
6) Payment of compensation to the 22 families whose houses, shops etc., have been burnt down.
7). Initiate tripartite talks.
8). Ensure regular patrolling by police to instil confidence.
9). Take steps for protection of school buildings etc.
10) Ensure safety of truckers, vehicles etc.
 11). Government should also provide funds for construction of boundary pillars etc., in the disputed areas.