Brig Sailo leads fight for territorial integrity of Mizoram

Aizawl, July 12(UNI) Mizoram People's Conference supremo and former chief minister Brig T Sailo has renewed his fight of territorial integrity for Mizoram by hoisting a party flag near Dholai bridge, a disputed area between Asom and Mizoram.

Party sources said the flag was unfurled yesterday near Dholai bridge, about 18 km further than what Laldenga's claim as the boundary of Mizoram.

Octogenarian leader Sailo, however claimed, his flag point was ''actual boundary'' between the two northeastern states.

Brig Sailo accompanied by hrs 15 followers yesterday erected a post and hoisted the party flag and declared ''once our party comes to power, we will go back to this place to search for the flag we unfurled on July 11, 2007,''.

Party vice-president Col Lalchungnunga Sailo, consultant Lalrawna, general secretaries V Laichhinga and Rosiamngheta were among others who accompanied Brig Sailo to renew the fight for territorial integrity of Mizoram, party sources here said today.

Meanwhile, farmers at a paddy field of first Mizoram chief minister Ch Chhunga, which lies within the disputed area, have finished ploughing the field under the protection of Mizoram police and members of the All Mizo Farmers' Union.

The AMFU members supported by Kolasib MLA K Lalrinliana guarded the paddy field along with 40 Mizoram IR men and 30 CRPF personnel until the farmers finished the ploughing.

Sources here said the Asom police also came to the spot to witness the ploughing the field by the local farmers.

Earlier, the Asom police had arrested some farmers from the Ch Chhunga's paddy field, whom they later released on bail after protests from the Mizoram government.

Meanwhile, the AMFU had expressed its readiness to give protection to the labourers with arms if situation warranted.

However, with the availability of police force, AMFU did not find it necessary to arm themselves, the sources said.

UNI