A day after the death of six Assam police personnel and a civilian in a violent clash with Mizoram along the inter-state border, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday demanded an inquiry into the incident.
He said the incident reflects a failure of the constitutional machinery of the states.
“Some media reports say Light Machine Gun (LMG) was used during the Assam-Mizoram border clash yesterday. Are we in our country or on the borders of the country? We demand an inquiry into this incident,” Gogoi told reporters in New Delhi.
Earlier in the day, Gogoi moved an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over the Assam-Mizoram clash.
In his letter to Lok Sabha Secretary-General, the Congress leader said, “I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance namely – the atrocities and instability that are seen at the border of Assam.”
“While this issue may have persisted for a while now, with state governments from either side claiming encroachment on their territory, the recent incidents draw special attention to this matter. Both sides claim to have rights over the land historically which only further aggravates the tensions,” Gogoi said.
The Congress MP said the acts of violence have been tamed out at the border multiple times and the gravest incident so far took place on the evening of July 26 on the Assam-Mizoram Border.
“This is not just a failure of peace at the border but a failure of the constitutional machinery of the state that failed to protect its men. This is despite the Home Minister’s visit to the Northeast barely a few days prior to the incident promising prosperity in the region and stability with regard to the border issues. Yet these atrocities continue,” said Gogoi.
He said these rising tensions at the border have only led to violence and the compromise of the safety of the people living there.
“Many lives have been lost and been put in danger, the recent incidents are proof of that. No amount of condolences will be enough to rectify what has happened at the border to the lives of the people,” said the Kaliabor MP.
“The issue at hand is a time-sensitive matter and is also a potential threat to more lives of the people there. Therefore I urge you to take the matter into immediate consideration for appropriate action.
“The Government ought to ensure safety and peace at the borders of Assam and not risk citizens lives any further. I hereby request permission to raise the matter,” urged the Congress leader.