Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 8
Travelers face the brunt
The tension gripping the Assam and Nagaland relationship following the killing of two persons at a disputed border area on July 5, took a turn for the worst, with reports of harassment to the people of Mon district. It was disclosed that since the incident, Assam students have completely blocked passage of any vehicle passing through Sivasagar district to Mon district. However after intense negotiations, the passengers have been allowed passage but at the cost of their luggage. Travelers said that they were allowed to pass but had to forfeit their entire luggage to the students who were maintaining strict patrol in the area.
The long-maintained relationship between these two district of Sivasagar and Mon is under serious test due to this new activity. All route to Mon, Tizit and Naginimora, which passes through Assam has therefore been almost cut off, and the Mon night super called off its trip tonight. These activities of the Assam students is said to be carried out in the name of economic blockade, according to sources from Assam.
The Konyak Union slammed the Assam public for the harassment meted on the passengers of Mon district saying that the people of the district were in no way responsible for whatever injustice that may have been done to them. The KU has also alleged the district administration and police for conniving with students in the harassment. The executives of the union revealed that the Officer in Charge (OC) of Sonari had assured the people of a safe travel but they were later subjected to the same treatment.
Meanwhile it has been learnt from reliable sources that the Assam security forces including the Army, have started setting up bunkers in the disputed area near Anaki village. It was also learnt that the Nagaland has also sent reinforcement of just one battalion to the area.
NSF demands security in border
In reaction to the recent ‘repulsive but tense development’ surfacing in the border area of Assam and Nagaland, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded from the state government deployment of state security forces in the border. The NSF mentioned the IRB and the Nagaland armed Police for the purpose and has also urged the All Assam Students Union (AASU) to restrain itself from resorting to agitation. Rather dialogue should be pursued. According to NSF’s chief Imchatoba Imchen, the recent instance of killing and arson between the two neighbors “cannot be expected to happen between the indigenous peoples.” “The state(s) government should immediately deploy either IRB/ NAP in the sensitive border areas, so that the peace can be maintained and goodwill prevails among people of Assam and Nagaland” the Federation demanded.
While conveying deep condolence to the lives lost, the Federation reminded the state law-enforcing agencies to examine the cases and initiate necessary action so that peace is maintained in the border areas.
Condemning the recent upheaval president Imcha cautioned that while best efforts are on to maintain peace and tranquility amongst the communities within the Northeast people, (such) random instances of intrusion “towards” the two neighboring states will tantamount to the greater escalation of communal conflict. Civil citizens are urged to condemn such ‘act of barbarianism’ to maintain fraternity-pledge in trust and mutual respect.
The Federation is convinced that the recent incidents are being instigated by “our adversaries through the third parties infiltrated in the border areas” It is evident that the adversaries of the North East indigenous people are applying all means to keep its old-age family divided “We the north easterner need to know this sinister design of the third party by not defending the illegal immigrants in the border” Imcha reminded.
The Federation also urged the AASU to restrain itself from resorting to any agitations. Rather they apply resolving any disputes on the principle resolving through people-to-peoples dialogue as declared March 22, 2004 at Merapani after a public rally witnessed by North-East Students’ Organization’s chairman, Dr Samujjal Bahattachrya.
Mokokchung appeals to Sivasagar DC
The District Administration of Mokokchung has appealed to its counterpart in Sivasagar not to blame Naga villagers in general for the killing of two persons on July 5 and at the same time assured punishment to any Naga villager found to be involved in the crime. A letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar by the Mokokchung Superintendent of Police of ADC on June 7 reiterated the stand of the Mokokchung administration from the very beginning. “it has been confirmed that the alleged incident has been committed by unknown miscreants. The people whose houses and livestock have been burnt and killed are migrant Nepalese and labourers who have settled down in the disputed area belt on Assam-Nagaland border.”
The letter stated that on the basis of the complaint by the Anaki ‘C’ village on the incident on July 5, a case has been registered at Tuli police station and investigations are taken up. In this regard, the letter requested the Sivasagar district not to blame Naga villagers in general for the crime committed as it is escalating tension in both states and inciting undesirable hatred among the Assamese and Naga people.
The letter, however, assured justice to the Sivasagar administration.
“If during the course of investigation any involvement of any person from Mokokchung district is found to be proved, due action and punishment of the guilty persons is assured.”
The letter also solicited for co-operation from the Sivasagar DC to check that news report from Assam media does not escalate the situation.
“It is further requested to co-operate and ensure that such statements and news emanating in vernacular media of Assam does not infuriate feelings on the border.”
The letter also highlighted about the imposition of economic blockade and stopping vehicles bound for Mokokchung from Geleki/Amguri and Mariani which has resulted in serious shortage of essential commodities and inconveniences to the general public. It is requested to kindly ensure security to innocent people in the interest of normal relations.
The letter further assured that the district administration Mokokchung is committed to ensure that no act of violence takes place on the Assam-Nagaland border and friendly relationship between the neighbouring villages is maintained.
“The border dispute is an old unresolved issue and both the state governments are trying hard to resolve the same.”
