In view of the hearing going on between the state of Assam and Nagaland on boundary issue, and setting up of local boundary commission under the chairmanship of Justice S.N. Variava, Rtd. Judge, Supreme Court of India for the settlement of boundary dispute, some of the historical facts and evidences are being put forward for sincere and honest study to arrive for a peaceful settlement.
The Nagas have never encroached nor illegally occupied any land belonging to Assam. Rather, the state government of Assam with its motive to accommodate illegal immigrants from neighboring country and other states for state electoral agenda has been encroaching Naga territory. Assam has been pursuing this systematic method of occupying the Naga areas including our homes and fields with the backing of its armed police personnel.
The boundary settlement dates back to the time of the Ahom king Godhadar. The demarcation was mutually concluded much before the British-India arrived at Assam between Ahom King Godhadar and the Lotha Nagas led by Senden Yanthan Lotha of Lakhuti village, popularly called by the Ahoms as Songdongbora.
This brings answers the questions why and how the plain areas in Assam belong to the Lotha –Nagas and Nagas in general. During the period when the Burmese invaded Asom, warriors from Lotha-Naga villages, namely-Lakhuti and Akuk assisted the Ahom king in repulsing the advent of the Burmese force. In acknowledgement of the assistance received from the Nagas, the Ahom king decided to define the boundary line taking into consideration the security of his kingdom. Thus, as a boundary line, a road was constructed and named SONGDONG BORA Ali joining Sibsagar with Golaghat via Mariani. The name of this road has gone several changes to mislead and confuse the Lotha-Nagas. SONGDONG BORA Ali was changed to TOHONTOR Ali then to DHOTOR Ali. At present, this road is known as TONTOLA Ali. This road starts from Sibsagar via Mariani and ends at Golaghat. This evidence may be referred to the Asom Boronjee (Asom History).
Another historical fact stands glaring even till today. A good number of villages presently lying under Assam state administration in the districts of Sibsagar and Jorhat were paying annual land tax (Ghats) to the Nagas as rents. This land tax or rent was received by numerous Naga villages. The payment of annual land tax was stopped in the early part of the 1970’s on the directive of the Indian government.
Basing on these historical facts, the question arises then; why the Nagas are claiming these tracks of land in the plains as theirs. After British-India penetrated Asom, the British-India government began to survey the land and the race of the people for the whole of British-India starting from 1832. After the completion of the survey, area by areas, the British-India government made a declaration of their Survey Map. The then newly British surveyed areas were called by a special name – Bengal-Assam and NEFA.
Thus, Nagaland does not demand nor has encroached even an inch of Assam land, but is fighting for and claiming the legitimate Naga rights for justice basing on: (a) The Historical Boundary demarcation done between the Ahom king Godadhar and Senden (Songdongbora); (b) The British-India administration has transferred the Naga areas part by part on one pretext or another in order to serve its economic interests.
When Nagaland was granted Statehood as the 16th state on 1st December, 1963, the Indian government did not erect any constitutional boundary for the states of Assam and Nagaland for best reasons known to her while at the same time ignoring the historical boundary. Therefore Assam state should not necessarily raise boundary disputes with Nagaland thereby violating Godadhar-Naga defined boundary line.
For administrative and revenue convenience, a huge territory of land from the Naga Hills district were transferred to Sibsagar and Nowgaon districts of Assam state. Some of the areas transferred to Sibsagar district and than to the newly created Sub-Divisions of Jorhat and Golaghat of Assam state are mentioned for reference:
(a) Geleky Reserved Forest
(b) Tiru Reserved Forst
(c) Kakadonga Reserved Forest
(d) Desoi Reserved Forest
(e) Desoi Valley
(f) Doyang Reserved Forest
(g) Nambor Reserved Forest etc.
Besides the above mentioned Reserved Forests, good numbers of tea gardens falling within Naga territory had also been transferred to Sibsagar district.
Therefore the Supreme Court of India and Indian government should not show favoritism, nepotism or prejudices and discriminate one state in the boundary settlement. Instead it is necessary to honour and respect the historical rights of the Nagas.
Again the Supreme Court of India and Indian government should take note the 16th point Agreement of1960 and Article No.371 Clause A as well as Article No.3 of the Constitution of India in the Settlement.
Significant Locations for references
Wokha-Gorunga British Dak Banglow
Wokha-Gorunga Tea Estate
Furkating Railway junction
Songdongbora Ali-changed to Tontola Ali
Options For Boundary Settlement
Sibsagarh via Mariani-Golaghat via Nowgaon-Guwahati National Highway.
Sibsagarh via Mariani-main road via Titabar via railway line to Furkating railway junction etc.
Nrisao Yanthan
Ex-Chairman, Lakhuti Village Council
Dist. Wokha
