Assam Asks Citizens To Avoid Travelling To Mizoram, Congress Says ‘Modi Hai To Yahi Mumkin Hai’

Dispur: Days after violence erupted, the Assam government on Thursday issued an advisory for state residents asking them to avoid travelling to Mizoram amid the border dispute between the neighbouring state.

“Given the critical prevailing situation, the people of Assam are advised not to travel to Mizoram as any threat to the personal safety of people of Assam cannot be accepted,” the advisory issued by MS Manivannan, Commissioner and secretary, Home and political department read.

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The Assam government also advised its citizens, who are staying in Mizoram due to work-related reasons, to “exercise utmost caution”.

These advisories will come into force with immediate effect and be given publicity for wider public knowledge and adherence, the government stated.

Besides this, Assam police also issued a notification informing that all incoming vehicles from Mizoram will be thoroughly checked at all the entry points along the Assam Mizoram border to keep an eye on the inflow of illicit drugs.

Noting that trafficking of drugs via Mizoram causes great concern and threat to the society in general, Assam police said, “It felt necessary to check all vehicles entering into Assam from Mizoram”.

“Such vehicles will be thoroughly checked by personnel of Assam Police at the point of entry at all Assam-Mizoram border,” said the police, adding that these vehicles shall be released only after due satisfaction of an officer, not below the rank of Sub Inspector of Police, “that no illicit drugs are carried in the vehicles”.

On Monday, the border dispute between the two states took a violent turn as a fierce gun battle between the forces of the two states resulted in the death of five Assam police personnel and one civilian.

One injured policeman succumbed to his injuries later taking the total number of policemen killed to six. At least 50 people were injured in the incident. A total of six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed at the site where the policemen died. 

Congress Reacts

As Assam issued a travel advisory to its people against travelling to Mizoram, the Congress party called it an embarrassing day for the country.

Taking to Twitter, Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala cited the Assam government’s travel advisory and questioned whether Chief Minister and Home Minister should continue to hold their posts.

“Most embarrassing day in the history of the country! When the countrymen are unable to move from one province to another, do the Chief Minister and Home Minister have the right to continue in their posts? If Modi is there then this is possible!” he wrote in Hindi.