Assam government on July 29 issued a “travel advisory” to its citizens visiting Mizoram and those staying in the neighbouring state.
In “one-of-its-first such advisory”, the Assam government asked its citizens not to visit the neighbouring state and also asked its citizens who was staying there to maintain utmost caution.
The advisory comes after the July 26 incident at the Assam-Mizoram border where six policemen lost their lives.
The unprecedented travel advisory, issued by commissioner and secretary, home and political, MS Manivannan said that given the critical prevailing situation, the people of Assam are advised not to travel to Mizoram as any threat to their personal safety cannot be accepted.
“People of Assam, staying in Mizoram due to work related compulsion, should exercise utmost caution,” it said.
The advisory said that there have been several cases of violent skirmishes in the Assam-Mizoram border area, including recently in Assam’s Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts bordering Mizoram.
Noting that six policemen lost their lives and scores of police personnel and civilians seriously injured on July 26, it said: “Even after this incident, certain Mizo civil society, students, and youth organisations are constantly issuing provocative statements against the state of Assam and its people.”
“It has been reliably learnt from video footage available with Assam Police, that many civilians are heavily armed with automatic weapons etc. In view of the above and with the purpose of ensuring safety and security, this travel advisory was issued to all the people of Assam,” it said.