Border ‘Agreements’ should be reviewed if peace has to prevail

The alleged cold blooded murder of a Naga youth by an Assam cop in civvies has aroused indignation among civil societies and Naga public at large.

Twenty-nine year old Ento Nyekha, a resident of Diezephe village, was allegedly shot dead by an Assam Police cop in civvies Tuesday afternoon when Ento along with his friend had gone fishing in a river near Sangtamtilla near Assam-Nagaland border.

Late Ento’s friend who managed to escape in a statement to Nagaland Police informed that after the incident, he saw the person who shot Ento enter an Assam Police outpost.
At the funeral service of late Ento Nyekha held here Wednesday, Naga frontal organizations including Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) and Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) accused Assam Police of always fomenting trouble and tension in the border areas.

NTC general secretary, Nribemo Ngully, said Assam Police are infamous for victimising Naga people not only in border areas but Naga passengers and vehicles travelling in Assam roads.

Referring to the recent killing of Supongmeren by Assam Police, Nribemo asked, “who will be the next victim of Assam Police?” He said Naga people should unite and raise their voice together to stop the atrocities being meted out by Assam Police on innocent civilians.

NCD general secretary, Ntsemo Ngullie, condemned the “cold-blooded” murder of yet another Naga civilian by the Assam Police. He also blamed the Nagaland government and Naga leaders for surrendering Naga rights to Assam with regard to border issue. Ntsemo said though Nagaland government had recognized border Naga villages like Rilan and Indisen, yet it had totally failed to provide security to these villagers.

He further said that the two border agreements with Assam (1972 and 1979) should be reviewed if peace is to prevail in the border areas.

Western Chakhesang Hoho president, Vekhosayi Nyekha, said as per the border agreements, neutral security forces were supposed to man the border areas. However, he alleged that instead of CRPF, Assam Police were totally incharge of border areas.

Other organizations and individuals also paid condolences to the bereaved family members of late Ento Nyekha.