Assam minister's visit leads to tension

Mizoram police officials said that around 50 villagers from Lailapur in Assam preceded Majumdar's entourage on two-wheelers in an alleged attempt to enter the Mizoram police's check gate at Vairengte.

While the minister's car turned back before reaching the police checkgate some Lailapur villagers reached it and were stopped by Mizoram police and local residents.

Majumdar had earlier assured residents of Lailapur that a meeting between deputy commissioners Cachar (Assam) and Kolasib (Mizoram) would be held on October five at Silchar, to discuss the demands of the villagers.

The move angered NGOs in Mizoram and around 40 members of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl or the Mizo students federation led by its President James Thanghmingmawia intended to go to Vairengte this evening and consult the students and NGOs of the town.

Meanwhile, the All Barak Youth Students Association which had launched a blockade of NH-54 the lifeline of Mizoram for three days since September 26 announced that they would continue with it from 6:00 am today also.

The road blockade by the ABYSA evoked strong reactions in Mizoram with political parties and NGOs condemning it as an attempt to economically strangulate the state and against the ruling of the Supreme Court which prohibited blockade of national highways.