Explained: How the Assam-Mizoram Border Clash Unfolded

The clashes on 26 July resulted in the death of five Assam police personnel and one civilian.

The Big Story Podcast on Assam-Mizoram border dispute. Image used for representation only. 

(Photo: Kamran Akhter/ The Quint)

A border dispute between Assam and Mizoram resulted in the deaths of five Assam Police personnel and a civilian on 26 July.

Even though both the states are ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its NDA ally, the Mizo National Front, the dispute seems to have blown up with chief ministers of both states engaging in a Twitter spat exchanging allegations, and even seeking Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention into the matter.

But the border dispute has a much longer history beyond the recent incident. Border clashes between the two states have occurred before – in the years 1968, 1979, 1985, and most recently in 2018 as well, where nearly 50 persons were injured in actions taken by Assam Police.

But what exactly is the dispute about? What events led to the clashes on 26 July and why are BJP allies in the region disputing so publicly?

To discuss all this, for today’s episode, we spoke to the Editor of EastMojo, Karma Paljor, and senior journalist Rajeev Bhattacharyya.