Simmering tension prevailed along the Tripura-Mizoram border after security personnel from the neighbouring State prevented a Forest department team from establishing a check post at a border village under the Kanchanpur subdivision in North Tripura. As per reports, a Forest Department team led by a Deputy Collector and Magistrate (DCM) had to beat a hasty retreat following strong opposition from the India Reserve Battalion (IRBn), Mizoram. Acting on specific inputs about rampant smuggling of stones and timber from the Jampui Hills under the Kanchanpur subdivision to Mamit district of Mizoram, the Forest Department team had gone to Kanmon to erect a check post on Tuesday. As the team put up a signboard, a contingent of the IRBn, Mizoram, rushed to the spot and opposed setting up any office of the Tripura government. The IRBN team claimed that Jampui is a part of Mizoram. As the IRBn personnel stood their ground, the DCM of the Kanchanpur subdivision, Hamendra Paul, and Forest Ranger Bibrata Marak had to return to Kanchanpur. “The matter will be brought to the notice of the higher authorities. A check post is necessary to stop illegal transfer of stones and valuable timber from Jampui Hills,” said an official. Reports said Mizo youths allegedly regularly visit border villages on the Jampui Hills and terrorise the residents there to obey the dictates of the Mizoram Government.

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