6 Assam police personnel killed in firing by miscreants
At least six personnel of Assam Police were killed in firing by miscreants from neighbouring Mizoram today as the border dispute between the two adjacent north eastern Indian states took an unprecedented violent turn.
A senior Assam Police officer, who is still inside the forest amid continuous firing from across the border, said at least 50 personnel, including Cachar Superintendent of Police Nimbalkar Vaibhav Chandrakant, were injured in firing and stone-pelting at the border, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
"I am deeply pained to inform that six brave jawans of @assampolice have sacrificed their lives while defending constitutional boundary of our state at the Assam-Mizoram border. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.
The senior police officer said miscreants from across the border suddenly opened fire when officials of both sides were holding talks to iron out the differences.
"I immediately cannot say how many people have been injured, but my guess is at least 50 personnel. Our SP was also injured in the firing and a bullet hit his leg," the officer said over the phone.
The violence took place two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met all Chief Ministers of the northeast at Shillong. Mr Shah has dialled Chief Ministers of both states and asked them to resolve the border issue, reported news agency ANI quoting sources.
Sarma and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga had earlier clashed on Twitter.
Tweeting a video of people armed with sticks, Zoramthanga sought Indian Home Minister Amit Shah's intervention, saying it "needs to be stopped right now."
Mizoram shares a 164.6 km long border with Assam and there have been skirmishes at the border for years. The last incident was reported in June when security forces of both states trade charges of "intrusion".
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