Volunteers of Karbi based organizations take part in the indefinite blockade against Nagaland state. The blockade, affecting NH 29 and 36, is against alleged land encroachment by Nagaland in KA, Assam.
An indefinite road blockade on Nagaland state began today with National Highways 29 and 36 coming to a standstill.
The blockade which took effect from 5:00 am, February 25 has been called by Karbi Anglong (KA) based organizations in protest against the alleged land encroachment by Nagaland along the Dimapur-Karbi-Anglong border region. The blockade has been jointly organized by Karbi Students and Youth Council, All Dimasa Students’ Union, All Assam Gurkha Students’ Union, and Karbi Unemployed Youth Association.
Concurrently, on NH 29, the All-Assam bandh enforced by the AASAA, demanding scheduled tribe status and protesting the visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, which began yesterday evening will continue till 5:00 pm of February 26.
Nagaland govt says ‘status
quo’ should be maintained
Nagaland government stated that “status quo” should be maintained as the contentious border dispute between the two states is sub judice. Commissioner Nagaland, in charge of Border Affairs, Temjen Toy said on Tuesday evening that the government is looking into the problem, stating, “We’re in touch with the Assam government.”
Economic Blockade
‘uncalled for’
Meanwhile, reacting to the imposition of an economic blockade and promulgation of 144 CrPC in the Dimapur and Karbi Anglong border, the action committee (Rangapahar sub-urb, Zhimomi colony and Sangtamtilla), has expressed displeasure at “such a random action”, which it said was “totally uncalled…”
A press note, jointly issued by Elders’ Committee Rangapahar Crossing, S Hukavi Zhimomi Colony and Sangtamtilla stated that the core issue of the problem is a “lack of sincerity or commitment of the Assam government and utter negligence on the part of the Nagaland government.”
It further alleged that the Assam government has failed to protect the forest tract (under its custody) in the disputed area. Permanent structures are not to be permitted in the area; however, RCC constructions, electrification, water supply, black topping etc have been undertaken from the Assam side.
It said that villages have been established by “outsiders and illegal immigrants holding Assam Patta (which is questionable for a disputed land).” The committee also questioned the “involvement of the All Assam Gurkha Students Union in the imposition of a ‘bandh’ against Nagaland.”
The committee asserted that the matter will ultimately be settled at the government level or through court ordinances.
It however iterated that the states of Nagaland and Manipur “have had enough of ‘bandh cultures’ adopted by KA…” and pointed out that the place “breeds a number of outfits which impose heavy taxation on especially goods vehicles.” As such, it called upon the governments of Nagaland and Manipur to approach the center for alternative roadway and railway that will not cross KA.
