Assam-Mizoram violence updates: Cong delegation stopped, Centre holds meetings

Assam-Mizoram border situation: Cachar police said that the situation is tense and talks are being held at the senior level. Only residents of the area are being allowed to leave, he said.

In the latest update to violent clashes which unfolded along the disputed Assam-Mizoram border on Monday, news agencies reported that an IPS officer was airlifted to Mumbai for surgery after he was injured in an exchange of fire between the police forces of the two states. In reviewing the interstate border dispute situation, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla also met the chief secretary of Mizoram and DGP SBK Singh.

New Delhi: Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo outside the Home Ministry in New Delhi, on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. (Ravi Choudhary / PTI)

Here's all you need to know about the Assam-Mizoram border dispute situation:

Assam Congress delegation stopped by police at Cachar, cops say 'situation tense'

A delegation of Congress leaders, including Bhupen Bora, Debabrata Saikia, and others were stopped by the police at Dholai in Cachar, news agency ANI reported. Speaking on the matter, Congress leader Sushmita Dev said, "We had said that we will go only till Lailapur market, we won't go to the border. Despite that, we were stopped 5km before."

Speaking on the Assam-Mizoram border situation, Ramandeep Kaur, the superintendent of police (SP) of Cachar in Assam said that the situation is tense and talks are being held at the senior level. "The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), as a neutral force, is deployed along the border," he said. "Assam and Mizoram forces are respectively at their positions. Only the residents of the area are allowed to move."

Mizoram CM Zoramthanga appeals for 'amicable solution'

Meanwhile, the Mizoram chief minister's office (CMO) said that CM Zoramthanga is currently quarantined as per coronavirus disease (Covid-19) protocols and thus won't be able to attend meetings and interviews requiring his physical presence.

"Mizoram hopes for an amicable solution with the help of an intervention from the central government," CM Zoramthanga tweeted. "I sincerely request all to stay calm and promote peace in this time of great difficulty."

Union home secretary chairs meet to review border dispute

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday chaired a meeting with Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and DGP SBK Singh over the dispute along the Assam-Mizoram border, said officials familiar with the development.

After the meeting, Chuaungo said that the discussion is in progress and that the parties will be reconvening for another meeting soon, in the afternoon.

The Union home secretary is also scheduled to meet with Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua and Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti. The meeting, which was slated to be held earlier in the day, has been postponed till 4pm.