HT Correspondent  

SILCHAR, July 29: “We will not let an inch of our own land to move out to Mizoram,” stated the state urban development minister Ashok Singhal. He made this statement while addressing the gathering at Lailapur along the Assam-Mizoram Border on Thursday. The minister added, “The ministry of home affairs had ordered CRPF to be deployed, we have given our post to CRPF but the Mizoram government has still not removed its people from the post, which is sad.” 

“It feels like the Mizo people wish to settle the dispute via arms and ammunition. If it is so, then, this approach itself is wrong. Also, six police officers of Assam police were martyred during the clash while Mizoram officials continued to shoot LMG (light machine guns) at the disputed site. Peace and harmony between the two states is yet to be attained,” minister Singhal quipped. 

On being asked if the government is willing to launch an economic blockade, Singhal said, “The government is not in favour of it.” Appealing to the masses, the guardian minister said that whatever was required for the safeguarding of border residents will be done, and that there is no need to fear. 

Earlier, minister for fisheries, excise, forest and environment, Parimal Shuklabaidya; MP Silchar Rajdeep Roy along with MLA Silchar Dipayan Chakrabarty; MLA Lakhipur Koushik Rai and deputy commissioner Cachar Keerthi Jalli visited the residents of Lailapur who were severely affected by the incident that took place on Monday. The delegation also took stock of the situation and held talks with the DIG of the CRPF. They also visited Punimukh under Palongghat GP and met the family members of deceased constable Manjurul Haque Barbhuiya and Shyamsundar Dusat of 6th AP Bn and handed over the cheques amounting Rs 50 lakh each to their families.