Aizawl: Mizoram’s opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Lalrinsanga Ralte on Wednesday called on the state government to urgently strengthen security and infrastructure along the state’s border with Assam, warning of potential provocations ahead of the neighbouring state’s Assembly elections.
Speaking during the budget discussion for the Home Department, overseen by Home Minister K. Sapdanga, Ralte cautioned that the Assam government frequently utilises border issues for political leverage during election cycles.
He stressed that Mizoram must remain vigilant and proactive to prevent territorial encroachment.
Ralte, who represents the Serlui Assembly constituency in Kolasib district, which shares a border with Assam, said that following the violent clash between the two states in 2021, several locations were designated under a status quo arrangement.
“While Mizoram has been diligent in honouring these agreements, the Assam side has shown little regard for them,” he alleged.
Noting a disparity in infrastructure development, Ralte said that while both states established various access roads and duty posts during the height of the dispute, the Assam government has successfully converted its temporary Border Outposts (BOPs) into permanent, robust facilities.
Conversely, he criticised the Mizoram government’s “slow pace” of development, warning that the administration would bear the blame should security difficulties arise.
Ralte told the House that after Mizoram Police temporarily vacated the outpost at a border camp near Saipum village in Kolasib district, the Assam side cleared more than 60 acres of forest area, which he claimed belonged to Mizoram.
Expressing concern that Assam forces might soon move to occupy the cleared land, he urged the Home Minister to immediately redeploy police personnel to the area, fast-track the development of permanent border infrastructure, and ensure a constant presence to safeguard Mizoram’s territorial integrity.
The MNF legislator warned that failure to act swiftly could result in “far greater difficulties” for the state in the near future.