Assam-Mizoram border issue: Movement of trucks resume after four days

AIZAWL

Movement of trucks carrying essential items has resumed after four days after both Assam and Mizoram governments have agreed to restore peace and normalcy on the interstate boundary, officials of the two states said on Thursday.

Trucks stranded in both sides of the border since the clash between the people of the two states on Saturday night have moved since this morning, a student body of Mizoram has launched a blockade on National Highway-306, which link the two states.

The student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) said, it has started the blockade at Vairengte near the border since Wednesday evening, claiming that people of Lailapur in Assam’s Cachar district have also put up a blockade.

MZP president B Vanlaltana said that the agitation was to protect Mizoram’s territory and mount pressure on the Centre and the state governments to resolve the long-standing inter-state border dispute.

Vanlaltana said that 11 MZP leaders, including the vice-president Peter Chhangte, were arrested in the wee hours of Thursday for staging the blockade. The police, however, denied this.

Kolasib District Superintendent of Police Vanlalfaka Ralte told PTI that some trucks carrying essential commodities entered the state under police escort on Thursday morning from neighbouring Cachar district of Assam.

Cachar district official spokesperson said, “More than 140 trucks have crossed over to Mizoram since this morning. A few trucks have also reached Lailapur from across the border.”

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga instructed officials to ask security forces not to withdraw from the border areas till a final decision is made by the Centre on the matter and normalcy returns to the area. (PTI)