Houses razed in Assam-Mizoram border flare-up

SILCHAR/GUWAHATI: At least 20 houses and shops along the Assam-Mizoram border in Cachar district were set ablaze and several people were injured as a shower of petrol bombs landed from the other side of the boundary late Saturday following a dispute over a Mizo checkpoint set up the previous night.
Lailapur residents alleged that a group of Mizos had illegally set up a checkpoint in Cachar, about 2km from the inter-state border, on Friday.“They were armed and roamed about brandishing their weapons. They did not allow a group of Assam forest officials to cross the checkpoint,” a resident said.
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday called the PMO and home ministry to apprise them about attacks.
Cachar DSP Bhargab Goswami, along with a police contingent, had reached Khulicherra, about 5km from Lailapur, on Saturday, and spoken to Mizo police officials about removing the illegal checkpoint. After some hesitation, the checkpoint was dismantled, sources said. In retaliation, groups of Mizos attacked properties, threw petrol bombs and assaulted people on the Assam side.
Assam environment and forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya visited the spot on Sunday and assured residents that their demand for a police outpost would be taken up with the higher authorities.