Blockade on Nagaland lifted temporarily

The economic blockade imposed against Nagaland state on National Highways 29 and 36 has been lifted temporarily. Movement of vehicles resumed after the blockade was called off at 7:00 am on February 28. However conflicting reports emerged, as sources from Karbi-Anglong stated it was temporarily lifted, while officials in Nagaland informed that there was no intimation of conditions being laid down.

A press release, appended by the presidents of All Dimasa Students Union and Karbi Students Association, stated that the blockade was temporarily lifted based on assurance from the “Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Dimapur District to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police Karbi Anglong District... for extending full support and co-operation to stop encroachment all along border areas of Karbi Anglong.”

The district administrations of Dimapur and Karb-Anglong had met at Khatkhati on February 27, where the Karbi-Anglong counterparts were informed of measures taken on the Nagaland side to prevent further flaring of tensions in the disputed area. This message was reportedly taken note of by the organisations which enforced the blockade. The decision to lift the blockade was taken late on February 27 evening, sources informed.    

The statement continued, “... the organization have decided to observe for some more days whether Nagaland Govt. will take action against the encroachers and will give full support to Assam Govt. in stopping encroachment or not. If the Nagaland Administration does not take any action as per its assurance, then road blockade on NH 36 & 39 may have to be re-imposed...”

It further stated “brotherly relationship between the people of Karbi Anglong, Assam and the people of Nagaland should be maintained and for that we must respect inter-state boundary.” Stating the organisations are aware of the trouble the people of Nagaland had to face during blockade, it added, “We feel it our responsibility to show goodwill gesture to the people of Nagaland after giving assurance for needful action from District Administration of Dimapur.”
“Similarly, we expect from the people of Nagaland for being much concerned over the illegal encroachment on our land...” it added.