Explosion at Disputed Site on Tripura-Mizoram Border Sparks Tension; Joint Probe Launched
An under-construction building located at a disputed site at Jampui Hills on the Tripura-Mizoram inter-state border was partially damaged after unidentified miscreants hurled explosives at the structure in the early hours of Wednesday, triggering fresh concerns in the sensitive border zone.
Though no casualties or injuries were reported as the building was vacant at the time of the attack, the explosion caused damage to parts of the structure, with walls collapsing due to the impact. Officials confirmed that the blast was of limited intensity, suggesting the use of low-grade explosives.
According to North Tripura district authorities, the building—believed to be a tourism watchtower under construction by the Forest Department—was situated near Phuldungsai, a village in the scenic Jampui Hills region, which is also at the heart of a long-standing land ownership dispute between Tripura and Mizoram.
A senior district official from North Tripura said:
“The structure was planned under the tourism development initiatives of the Forest Department. The intention was to promote eco-tourism in the Jampui Hills area.”
Immediate Aftermath and Investigation
The incident occurred around dawn, with locals reporting a loud noise and mild tremors. Soon after the explosion, police personnel from both Tripura and Mizoram were alerted, and a joint investigation was promptly initiated. Law enforcement agencies from both states are sharing inputs and coordinating efforts to identify the culprits and determine the motive behind the attack.
Tripura Times, a leading English daily of the state quoting a senior police official said:
“We are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. A technical team has been sent to examine the nature of the explosives used. Our Mizoram counterparts are also investigating the case from their end.”
Officials have neither ruled out local miscreants nor any politically motivated elements behind the attack, although no group has claimed responsibility so far.
Rising Local Anxiety and Long-Standing Dispute
The attack has triggered anxiety and unease among residents of the border village, many of whom fear a potential escalation if the underlying land dispute is not resolved soon.
Phuldungsai, located along the boundary between North Tripura district and Mamit district of Mizoram, has been a contentious area for decades. Both states claim administrative jurisdiction over the area, leading to frequent tensions and periodic standoffs between locals and authorities.
In the wake of the incident, several residents of Jampui Hills, which includes Phuldungsai and other border villages, have renewed their demand for a peaceful resolution to the territorial issue.
“This is not the first time there has been tension over the land. But such an attack is concerning. Both Tripura and Mizoram governments must sit across the table and find a lasting solution. This area has immense potential for tourism, and any infrastructure built here should benefit the locals regardless of state boundaries,” said a resident of Phuldungsai.
Local leaders and civil society members have also emphasized the need for the governments to invest jointly in tourism infrastructure, which could help bring development and stability to the border region.
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Administrative Response
Both the Tripura and Mizoram administrations have taken cognizance of the situation. Senior officials have reportedly reviewed the status of the disputed site and ordered an increase in security deployment along the sensitive stretch of the border.
Meanwhile, officials from both states are in touch at the district level, and there are reports that the respective chief secretaries might convene a high-level meeting to address the latest incident and review progress on border dispute talks.
The central government had earlier advised northeastern states with inter-state border disputes to maintain dialogue and coordination, especially after similar tensions had flared up between Assam and Mizoram in the recent past.
Whether this incident prompts such a renewed dialogue between Agartala and Aizawl remains to be seen.
For now, peace prevails in the region, but the situation remains tense. Security forces are patrolling the area, and the local administration has urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
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