Mizoram to withdraw IRB jawans

SILCHAR: Mizoram has decided to withdraw India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawans from Assam’s Cachar border following the intervention of the joint secretary of Union ministry of home affairs (incharge of North-East), Satyendra Kumar Garg, here on Wednesday.
A week ago, Mizoram stationed IRB in the area following some tension there. Things went out of control last Saturday when a large group of people from Mizoram allegedly threw petrol bombs at properties and assaulted residents of Lailapur, about 45 km from here, on Saturday night.Several houses and shops were gutted and many people were wounded. The incident took place after local residents objected to a checkpost allegedly set up by the Mizos in the area the previous night.
“Mizoram relented and announced its decision to withdraw forces from Assam’s territory after the meeting with the joint secretary, MHA (North-East), at the Circuit House here on Wednesday evening,” said an official statement.
Announcing the decision, Mizoram home secretary Lalbiaksangi said the state would withdraw its forces following the meeting with joint secretary, MHA.
Garg said the Union government, Assam and Mizoram had fruitful discussions and resolved to settle the matter amicably across the table. Assam home secretary Gyanendra Dev Tripathi said both the sides held meetings to restore peace and normalcy and that efforts are on to start movement of trucks carrying essential commodities.
Earlier in the day, home secretary level talks were held at Lailapur.