Assam issues travel advisory for Mizoram, claims some Mizos armed with automatic weapons

In a note issued on Thursday evening, the Assam government said that considering the prevailing situation, people are advised not to travel to Mizoram as any threat to the safety of people from the state cannot be accepted.

The advisory, effective immediately, warned Assamese living in Mizoram due to work obligations should exercise utmost caution. 

The advisory comes days after violence flared up in the Cachar, Karimganj and Hailkandi districts of Assam bordering Mizoram.

Six policemen and a civilian were killed, and many were injured in the skirmish in Cachar district on July 26. The two states have been engaged in a war of words, each accusing the other of instigating violence and deploying security forces along the interstate border.

The state government stated that the advisory was being issued as it had reliably learnt that "many civilians in Mizoram were armed with automatic weapons."

The advisory, signed by state Home Secretary MS Manivannan, noted that some Mizo civil society, student and youth organisations have been issuing provocative statements against Assam and its people.

Assam intensifies crackdown

Meanwhile, the state government also intensified the crackdown on the trafficking of illicit drugs. 

All incoming vehicles from Mizoram will be thoroughly checked by Assam Police personnel on all the entry points along the Assam-Mizoram border in order to check the trafficking of illicit drugs.

Assam Police Special DGP GP Singh said, "Continuing our offensive against drug cartels operating from Mizoram and beyond, we have decided to up the ante. We are requesting people to cooperate in the interest of the next generation of our country."