Wokha Deputy Commissioner appeals for restraint
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 21
The Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Vineet Kumar, has called for restraint as tension simmers in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) between Assam and Nagaland bordering the two states’ Golaghat and Wokha districts.
Kumar, alongwith the Superintendent of Police, Wokha, visited Ralan and Yanmhon areas in the foothills of Wokha, bordering Golaghat, on August 21 to take stock of the ground situation. Tension has gripped border villages in the Ralan and Yanmhon areas in the aftermath of the recent eviction drive conducted by the Assam government in allegedly encroached forest lands.
Fencing of the evicted areas and starting of tree plantation drives in the evicted areas has alarmed villagers in the Disputed Area Belt as there have been allegations of Assam Police and Forest personnel encroaching into villages on the Nagaland side of the border. Ralan and Yanmhon areas have witnessed tense standoffs between the Assam Police personnel and unarmed villagers of late.
On August 21, the officials met the civil society organisations led by the Ralan Area Lotha Hoho and Yanmhon Area Public Organisation.
While the media was not privy to the meetings, the DC told a section of the media that concerns surrounding the eviction drive and related issues in the DAB along the Assam-Nagaland border were addressed at the public meeting today.
According to him, the meeting focused on addressing concerns raised by public leaders regarding the recent issues in the border with Assam. He said that the concerns have been communicated to the Government of Assam, and stressed on cooperation with the Golaghat administration in addressing the grievances.
Kumar, while calling for calm, maintained that the status quo, as far as the DAB was concerned, will remain unchanged. He reminded that the claims are under adjudication by the Supreme Court.
On the matter of post-eviction plans, the DC referenced a press communique issued by the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, which outlined a joint plantation initiative to be undertaken by both the Assam and Nagaland governments.
Regarding security reinforcement, the DC informed that while sufficient forces are already present, additional security personnel are being deployed to the area.
Concerning the erection of fencing/pillars, he stated that the matter is being addressed in collaboration with the DC of Golaghat (Assam), with whom discussions are planned to finalise the process.
The recent standoffs, he claimed, were handled well by the Border Magistrate and the situation has been normalised.
Contrary to claims that the eviction drive was a joint exercise between Assam and Nagaland, the latter’s authorities have largely remained mute spectators over the course of the eviction, and the subsequent fencing and plantation bids.
Despite the simmering public anxiety, there has been no word from the legislator representing the affected border villages in Wokha, let alone the Chief Minister’s Office.
