Fresh tensions flare as Tripura road project at Thaidawr hill angers Mizoram

A fresh inter-state flashpoint has erupted along the Mizoram-Tripura border after the Tripura government allegedly began constructing a road at Thaidawr hill near Phuldungsei village — an area that the Mizoram government claims lies within its territory. The move has drawn strong reactions from state leaders and civil society groups, who have accused Tripura of encroachment and called for immediate action.

Mizoram’s Environment, Forests & Climate Change Minister Mr. Lalthansanga visited the disputed site on Tuesday to assess the situation first-hand. A day later, leaders of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex student body in the state, led by the organisation’s President H. Lalthianghlima, also inspected the area and voiced their disapproval of the road works. Speaking during his visit, Lalthansanga acknowledged that Mizoram had earlier constructed a road in the area but admitted that Thaidawr village had been overlooked in terms of development.

“The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma will not remain silent while Tripura undertakes construction in what we regard as Mizoram’s land”, he said, pledging greater attention to the development of the region. The MZP, meanwhile, pointed out that the area falls within Mizoram’s boundary as per the 1933 demarcation issued under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873. The student leaders demanded urgent intervention by the Mizoram government to halt the road construction by Tripura authorities, warning that inaction could embolden further encroachments.

“The state government’s continued neglect of this region has allowed Tripura to undertake developmental activities inside Mizoram’s territory”, the MZP said in a statement after the site visit. Thaidawr Hill and its adjacent Phuldungsei village are located in the Jampui Hills area along the Mizoram-Tripura border, a region that has seen disputes in the past. A recent controversy surrounding the deletion of names of 85 residents from the Mizoram ration card database has only added fuel to the fire. The issue was raised in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly on March 20 by opposition MNF legislator Mr. Robert Romawia Royte, who questioned the government’s treatment of the residents of Phuldungsei.

In his response, the State Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. B. Lalchhanzova rejected allegations of neglect. He clarified that the government continues to support 21 families — comprising the 85 individuals in question—by issuing manual ration cards and supplying 35 kg of rice per family each month free of cost under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).

According to the minister, complications emerged after Tripura included the same residents under its Aadhaar authentication system through the Ration Card Management System (RCMS). As Tripura declined to remove the entries from its database, the Mizoram government issued manual ration cards to ensure these individuals — considered Mizoram residents —did not lose their entitlement to subsidised food grains.

Team Maverick