Mizoram, July 12: Mizoram government does not want to be the first one to strike a blow in the border issue with Assam, but is ready to take any measures to protect the territory of the state at all costs, state home minister Lalchamliana said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in Aizawl, Home Minister Lalchamliana said that the state government strongly condemned the renewed violent acts by an incursion into Mizoram soil recently.
The Assam officials entered Mizoram and created havoc inside the land belonging to Chalchhunga at Buarchep hamlet last week by damaging crops, he said.
“Destruction of individual properties by Assam officials was illegal and we demand that the Assam government should pay adequate compensation to the owner of the land and crops,” he said, adding that the state government would also pursue the matter.
The home minister said that a large number of state police personnel have been sent to the border areas to protect the territory of the state as also to safeguard the lives and properties of the people living in the Mizoram-Assam border areas.
More troops would be sent if the situation required, he said, adding that the requirements of the police personnel were being taken care of and the state government would do everything in its power to provide the needs of the policemen.
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He asked the people to bear with the government if any problems arise due to the tension in the border areas with Assam.
He appealed to the political parties and other organisations in the state not to indulge in a blame game or to take mileage out of the border disputes, but to remain united in the issue.
Mizoram shares over a 160-kilometre long border with Assam and the border dispute continued to simmer during district council years when Mizoram was union territory and also after being a full-fledged state, he said.
Tensions at the border areas had been witnessed several times in which the Assam government was the aggressor on each occasion by sending its officials including Police personnel, he added.
Lalchamliana was accompanied by School Education Minister Lalchhandama Ralte, Information and Public Relations Minister Lalruatkima, legislator of Assam border Serlui constituency Lalrinranga Ralte, Home Secretary Lalbiaksangi and acting DGP John Neihlaia in the press meet.
