One injured in fresh firing by Assam Police along Bilaipur border, says Mizoram

Three weeks after violent clashes on the border between Assam and Mizoram which killed six Assam policemenOn Tuesday, tensions along the disputed state border escalated again because of an alleged shootout.

Mizoram has alleged that around 1am the Assam police opened fire along the Bilaipur border and injured one of their civilians.

In response to the allegation, Assam alleged that the police did not return fire until after villains shot bullets at them from across the border.

READ: Bomb explosion damages school in Assam along the border with Mizoram, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, to order investigation

July 26th a clash between the armed forces of the two northeastern states claimed the lives of seven people, including six Assam police officers, and 50 others were injured.

“The incident occurred around 1:00 am in the controversial Aitlang area, bordering the Hailakandi district of Assam, when three residents of Vairengte town went to get meat from a friend, a resident of Bilaipur, Assam, who she invited to come. One person was injured after being dismissed by Assam police officers guarding the border between the states, “PTI quoted the Kolasib District Deputy Commissioner of Mizoram, H Lalthlangliana.

Hailakandi Police Chief Gaurav Upadhyay declined to provide details of the incident and confirmed that an exchange of fire had taken place. “No casualties were reported on either side,” he said.

However, a senior district official said villains from Mizoram’s side sprayed bullets into the darkness from the top of the Darasing Hills when MGNREGA workers built a road that led from Bilaipur to the border.

“Assam police also fired several shots in response to the shooting from Mizoram’s side,” the official added.

Gaurav Upadhyay added that he and Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Rohan Jha rushed to the spot immediately after the release.

“There are huge security forces stationed in the area,” he added.

On August 5, representatives from Assam and Mizoram held talks in Aizawl and agreed to settle the interstate border dispute amicably.

“Representatives of both governments agree to take all necessary measures to promote, maintain and maintain peace and harmony among the people of Assam and Mizoram, especially in border areas,” said a joint statement after the meeting.

The Assam government on the same day also revoked an earlier recommendation against traveling to Mizoram.

(With entries from PTI)

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