The ongoing dispute over the encroachment of land on the Assam-Mizoram border is yet to be completely resolved when unidentified miscreants exploded grenades at a primary school at Kachurthal in Hailakandi district bordering Assam on Friday night.
Though there has been no loss of life and property in the incident, tension has once again escalated along the border between the two states. The police force is deployed at the spot.
Violence erupted on Assam-Mizoram border on July 28
Violence broke out along the Assam-Mizoram border on the 28th of July. The miscreants pelted stones at the police and also damaged government vehicles. Six Assam Police personnel were also killed in the firing amidst the violence.
The situation between the two states has remained tense since then. Police in both states had also issued summons to senior officials of each other’s states over the issue.
What is the border dispute between Assam and Mizoram?
Three districts of Barak Valley of Assam, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj have a border of 165 km with three districts of Mizoram, Aizawl, Kolasim, and Mamit.
There are disputes at five places along this entire border and there are clashes from time to time.
In recent times, the dispute over the Kosabil-Cachar border had escalated and the Assam Police’s drive to remove encroachments on the land had caused this. People did not want to vacate the disputed land.
The attack on Friday night
Helakandi Superintendent of Police Gaurav Upadhyay said Sahebmara Primary School is located two kilometres from the border. The school was closed due to the corona epidemic.
Unidentified violaters had used grenades at the school around 11.30 pm on Friday. This damaged one sidewall of the school. He said that during the incident, no one was present on the spot and a major accident was averted. Police are on the lookout for the accused.
Police beef up security in the area
SP Gaurav said the area falls under the Gutguti police station. Security has been beefed up in the area following the incident.
Police are trying to ensure that the incident does not create any more insecurity in the locals.
He said the case is being thoroughly investigated and efforts are being made to trace the accused. The situation will be clear only after any arrests.