Unauthorised persons checking vehicles in the Mizoram Assam boarder at Bairabi has given rise to fresh tension between the states. The controversy started when the Hailakandi district's deputy commissioner has placed a sign showing "Welcome to Assam" on the banks of Bairabi on the outskirts of this village. The Bairabi village Council considers the far bank of the stream to be a part of Mizoram.

The Hailakandi District Commissioner and the superintendent of Police put up the signboard on
Sunday and had partially dismantled the resting shed built by Bairabi Village Council located on the far bank of Bairabi stream.

The tension rose when local party members of MZP started checking a truck carrying cement bags coming from Jameera town. They fined the truck drivers because in their opinion he was not carrying necessary papers.

When the police came to know about the fine, they moved into action and seized the activists and seized money received by them. This resulted in angry protests from the MZP who subsequently stopped all vehicular movements through the village.

Rumous are also spreading that the villagers of nearby Hailakandi district are harassing the Mizo drivers to avenge the Bairabi incidence.

A meeting of Hailakandi district officials and Assam's Social Welfare Department Minister Gautam Roy took place today where it is believed the border tension was discussed.

Date: 9th November, 2005