Newmai News Network
Aizawl | October 30
The Mizoram government has asked leaders of Karchulthal Masjid Committee (KMC) to stop the ongoing construction of a mosque at Zophai or Kachurthal area on the Mizoram-Assam border, an official of the Mizoram Home department said on Wednesday.
The official said that Kolasib district superintendent of police (SP), Vanlalfaka Ralte accompanied by district Forest officer had recently visited Zophai area on the instruction of the state government and asked the KMC leaders to put a halt on the construction of the mosque on the "disputed" area. The KMC leaders on their part informed the SP that they are renovating the mosque, which was constructed decades ago, after it has been damaged by a bomb blast, the official said.
Following the instruction of the Core Committee on border issue, Kolasib district Forest officer had asked Assam to stop the construct of the mosque at Zophai area in September. As a result, the construction was halted for some time but it was resumed recently.
The mosque was damaged by a powerful blast exploded by unidentified miscreant(s) in the wee hours of May 24.
Zophai is a disputed land claimed by both Assam and Mizoram as theirs.
In March last year, a border standoff took place at the area when functionaries of Mizoram’s apex student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) attempted to construct a resting shed there, leaving at least 60 students injured.
Meanwhile, main opposition in Mizoram, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) alleged that the territorial integrity of Mizoram is under threat as the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by Zoramthanga is unable to resolve the border dispute between Mizoram and Assam.
A statement issued by the party on Wednesday said that the state is not safe under the present government. The statement also asked Zoramthanga to apply his 'unique' strategy to resolve the border dispute.
Earlier, Zoramthanga had commented that his government had evolved a well planned strategy to resolve the state border dispute with Assam.
He, however, said that he could not disclose the strategy as it could impede the government’s measures to resolve the long pending border dispute.
