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MOSCOW:

around 11.30am, when around 200 Assam Police personnel attempted to construct a camp inside Mizoram’s territory, according to police. While discussions were on between police officials of the two states, a group of people from Mizoram allegedly started pelting stones, the officials said requesting anonymity. Locals on the Assam side retaliated, they added.

Administrative and police officials were rushed to the spot but the violence escalated around 3:45pm. Assam residents alleged tear-gas shells and air guns were fired from the Mizoram side. “I was near border area when people from Mizoram started firing. We tried to run away but a bullet touched my right arm and I fell,” 25-year-old Fajar Ali, an Assam resident who sustained an air gun injury, said.

“Clear evidences are now beginning to emerge that unfortunately show that Mizoram Police has used Light Machine Guns (LMG) against personnel of Assam Police. This is sad, unfortunate and speaks volumes about the intention and gravity of the situation,” Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on Facebook late on Monday night.

In a statement, Lalchamliana rejected these charges and said Assam Police personnel forcibly crossed the border post and damaged vehicles on the National Highway. He said Assam launched a volley of tear gas canisters and grenades at Mizoram Police around 4:50 pm. “Mizoram Police responded spontaneously by firing back at Assam Police,” he said.

Mizoram said after Shah spoke to both CMS, Assam Police withdrew and handed the post back to the CRPF. CRPF officials were not immediately available for comment.

The clashes took a political turn when Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga tweeted a video of the clashes and tagged Shah and Sarma. “Shri @Amitshah ji….kindly look into the matter. This needs to be stopped right now,” he wrote.

At 2.53pm, he tweeted a video of a couple sitting in a car with windows smashed in. “Innocent couple on their way back to Mizoram via Cachar manhandled and ransacked by thugs and goons. How are you going to justify these violent acts?” he asked.

Sarma responded four minutes later, blaming Mizoram for the flare-up. “Honble Zoramthanga ji could you please investigate why are civilians from Mizoram holding sticks and trying to incite violence? We urge civilians to not take up law and order on their own hands and permit peaceful dialogue to take place between governments,” he tweeted, tagging Shah and the Prime Minister’s Office.

At 3.25pm, he further wrote, “Honble @Zoramthangacm ji , Kolasib ( Mizoram) SP is asking us to withdraw from our post until then their civilians won’t listen nor stop violence. How can we run government in such circumstances? Hope you will intervene at earliest.”

The tensions appeared to ease as evening approached. Sarma tweeted at 4.36pm that he spoke to Zoramthanga and said Assam will maintain status quo and peace along the border. “I have expressed my willingness to visit Aizawl and discuss these issues if need be,” he said.

Zoramthanga responded minutes later. “Hon’ble @himantabiswa ji, as discussed I kindly urge that Assam Police be instructed to withdraw from Vairengte for the safety of civilians,” he said.

Assam Police said it was determined to protect Assam’s border. “It is unfortunate that miscreants from Mizoram are indulging in such forms of attack at Assam government officials stationed at Lailapur to protect Assam’s land from encroachment. We strongly condemn these acts... and reiterate our resolve to protect Assam’s boundary,” Assam Police tweeted from its official handle.

The Opposition condemned the violence. “We condemn the incident of firing on Assam Police personnel from the Mizoram side as reported in media. It is a matter of disgrace that such incident took place hours after union home minister left Assam. It is also a matter of concern and humour that CMS of both states are arguing on Twitter,” said Assam Congress media in-charge Bobbeeta Sharma

dition of anonymity that the meeting was likely to occur on Tuesday with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan as the central observer. Gehlot asked Yediyurappa to continue as caretaker chief minister until his successor is appointed.

When asked if he had suggested a replacement for the post, Yediyurappa said, “I have not given any names, nor will I suggest anyone. Who should be made [the next CM] is left to the central leadership. I will continue doing my work.”

Senior party leaders told HT that among the contenders were Union minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, national organising secretary BL Santhosh, and assembly speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri. Joshi, Santosh and Kageri are Brahmins; and Ravi, the MLA from Chikkamagaluru, is a Vokkaliga, Karnataka’s second-largest community concentrated in southern Karnataka, where the party is trying to make inroads.

If the party looks to replacing Yediyurappa with another leader from the Veerashaivalingayat community, probable