Mizoram MP summoned by Assam cops amid row

SILCHAR: Assam Police summoned Mizoram’s Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena and six top officials over their alleged role in fanning tensions, people aware of developments said on Friday, as a standoff between the northeastern neighbours continued.

The notice, under section 41A of the CrPC (which deals with appearance before a police officer’), was issued on July 28 -- two days after seven people were killed at the interstate border in an unprecedented gunbattle between the police forces. Police asked the MP to appear for investigation and questioning on August 1.

A four-member team of Assam Police reached Delhi on Thursday to meet Vanlalvena and reached his residence and his office but could not find him, officials familiar with the matter said. The team pasted the notice on his residence.

“It has come to light that you have given a threatening statement in media targeting civil and police officials in connection with the incident which is a subject matter of investigation.Therefore, there are reasonable grounds to question you to ascertain facts and circumstances,” the notice read.

Assam Police have also filed an FIR against Vanlalvena, who told reporters on Wednesday, “More than 200 policemen entered our territory and they pushed back our policemen from our own posts and they gave firing orders first, before we fired. They are lucky that we didn’t kill them all. If they come again, we shall kill them all.”

Assam’s Cachar district DSP, Kalyan Kumar Das, also issued summons to Mizoram’s Kolasib district deputy commissioner Dr H Lalthlangliana and asked him to appear at Dholai Police station on August 2. Similar notices were sent to five other senior officials, said people aware of matter. The DC is yet to respond to the notice, said the people quoted above.

Mizoram Police said it fired in self-defence after being attacked by Assam Police, who allege that post-mortem reports of the deceased showed that sophisticated weapons were used. It has registered a case of murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy, voluntary causing grievous hurt and under the Arms Act.

Assam Police have denied the allegations.