The development comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a telephonic discussion with both Himanta Biswa Sarma and Zoramthanga to bring about a peaceful resolution of the border differences earlier in the day.
In what can be seen as further de-escalation of tension at the Assam-Mizoram border, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga Monday said he had directed the police to withdraw the FIR registered against Assam officials in connection with the July 26 clashes.
The step comes a day after both the chief ministers sought to dial down the tensions at the border after talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. On Sunday, Mizoram government had said it was dropping Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s name from the FIR registered on July 26, following which Sarma announced that he had directed the police to withdraw the case against the K Vanlalvena, Rajya Sabha MP from Mizoram, who had been booked in connection with a media interview he had given.
Zoramthanga on Monday said that the decision to withdraw the FIR was taken in “order to build a conducive atmosphere for amicable solution”.
Sharing a Twitter post Monday evening, he wrote: “In order to build a conducive atmosphere for amicable solution to the #MizoramAssamBorder dispute & to reduce the plight of suffering citizens, I have directed @mizorampolice to withdraw FIR dt. 26.07.2021 filed at Vairengte, Kolasib District, Mizoram against all the accused persons.”
In order to build a conducive atmosphere for amicable solution to the #MizoramAssamBorder dispute & to reduce the plight of suffering citizens,I have directed @mizorampolice to withdraw FIR dt. 26.07.2021 filed at Vairengte,Kolasib District,Mizoram against all the accused persons pic.twitter.com/IlQ65jssIL
— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) August 2, 2021
Reacting to the development, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he would reciprocate Zoramthanga’s “positive gesture” by dropping cases against Mizoram officials.
Reciprocating Mizoram CM’s gesture, now Assam CM has decided to drop cases against Mizoram officials. He will be sending 2 cabinet ministers, Atul Bora & Ashok Singhal, to Aizawl for dialogue. “Assam stands committed to ensuring peace on its borders” the CM said. @IndianExpress https://t.co/9ZAyHHHBlK
— Tora Agarwala (@ToraAgarwala) August 2, 2021
Since the border clashes last Monday, in six Assam police personnel had died, there had been an impasse, with both states stationing their forces at the border, along with the CAPF. Neither state was ready to back down.
Both states had filed charges against each other in respective police stations (Dholai in Assam and Vairengte in Mizoram) in connection with the violence. As of Monday, while Mizoram has dropped all charges, the Assam government’s case against six police officials from Mizoram’s Vairengte district still remains.
