The Assam Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed an uproarious scene on Assam-Mizoram border issue. The AIUDF accused the government of being soft on the issue as BJP has set its eyes on Mizoram Assembly elections to be held later this year.
Raising the issue in the Assembly during zero hour AIUDF demanded an all party delegation to be sent to the trouble-torn spot. However, the government rejected the proposal.
Later speaking to mediapersons AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam said, “We are not happy with the statement issued by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on Assam-Mizoram border issue at the Assembly. He said the situation is now under control. When we said that an all party team of MLAs should be formed who would go to the trouble-torn spot and inspect the incident, government rejected the proposal.”
“As BJP is looking to grab power in Mizoram in the Assembly election slated to be held this year, the Assam government wouldn’t do anything to displease the people of Mizoram,” he added.
The AIUDF legislator blamed the government for what happened in the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi district.
Islam said, “Because of government’s inaction, our neighbouring states like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland have been regularly encroaching upon our land. Mizoram also got encouraged from them and now they have also encroached upon our land.”
“Because of the soft stance of our government, more than lakhs of people from Assam residing in Mizoram for service or business purposes are now vulnerable to retaliatory attack. They can be subject to attack at any point of time. If any untoward incident happens in Mizoram to our people there, government will be responsible for that,” he added.
Meanwhile, Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary while talking to media said that Assam’s land had been encroached and Assam police had to take strong steps to disperse the encroachers.
“On February 27, a Mizo student body came to construct some structure in Kachurdol area under Ramnathpur PS of Hailakandi district in Assam. Our police asked them to leave the area but they didn’t pay heed to police. As a result, police had to use force. Presently the situation is under control. Our Chief Minister informed the matter to Union Home Minister and also to Mizoram Chief Minister. Our Chief Secretary has also spoken to her counterpart in Mizoram, ” Patowary said.