Assam-Mizoram border conflict: A 12-hour bandh has been declared in Assam’s three districts, and the death toll has risen to seven

New Delhi: Following clashes between the police forces of Assam and Mizoram along the border on Monday, a 12-hour bandh was declared on Wednesday (July 28) in Barak Valley, which included three districts – Cachar, Halaikandi, and Karimganj – to condemn the killing.

According to a PTI report, an Assam police officer who was critically injured in an exchange of fire between the state’s and Mizoram’s police forces on the disputed interstate border died on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to seven — six Assam police officers and one civilian.

Protests in Assam’s Silchar district demanded action and assistance for the deceased. The protestors claimed that this is a long-standing issue in which Mizoram Police occasionally resort to violence.

At least six Assam Police officers were killed while defending the state’s “constitutional boundary” in a clash that injured over 60 people. A Superintendent of Police, as well as several officials and civilians, were among those injured.

Tensions have been high since the Assam Police allegedly took control of an area known as ‘Aitlang hnar’ about 5 kilometres from Vairengte in June, accusing the neighbouring state of invading its territory.

However, tensions rose again when the Mizoram Police said that unidentified miscreants set fire to eight farmers’ huts in the Kolasib district near the Assam border.

Both state chief ministers requested that Union Home Minister Amit Shah intervene immediately in the matter. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Zoramthanga last night, urging them to maintain peace along the disputed border and reach an amicable settlement.

Meanwhile, a three-day mourning period began on Tuesday to honour the deaths of six police officers and one civilian in the border clash. The national flag will be flown at half-mast during the three-day mourning period, and there will be no public entertainment, according to a notification issued by the Assam government.