Dimapur, June 25 (MExN): The Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) in a goodwill visit meet DC and SP of Sivasagar today and exchange views on the Assam Nagaland border.
Later the team reached Yonglok Village (under Longleng district) and interacted with the villagers for furthering peace process with the neighbouing people of Assam. Shingnyu Phom, Council Chairman of the village emphasized on the immediate action to be taken by the Assam Government on the encroachers on their traditional Jhum land from across the trans border. The DFO (Forest) Ranjan Kumar Das and Border Magistrate of Nazira Richand Ahmed had accompanied the BPCC team to this village. The officials from Assam had taken the allegation put forwarded by the Yonglok villagers and assured positive action on the illegal encroachers from Assam.
A public interaction was also held at Singibeel a small township near Geleki where representatives from the villages were present. Nazira Border Magistrate Richand Ahmed presided the meet where Er. Temsu Wathi, Coordinator of BPCC (A-N) had given the keynote address. All the speakers had unanimously voiced for constituting a BPCC (A-N) sub-committee for Geleki-Yonglok-Anaki area comprising representative from both Assam and Nagaland side.
It is pertinent to mention here that the coordination meeting of DCs and SPs of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Mokokchung Districts were held on June 10 and 11 at Mokokchung.
BPCC (A-N) had also visited Anakiyimsen and Anaki-C villages (under Mokokchung district) and interacted with the villagers for peace making mission. The SDO(C) cum Border Magistrate of Tuli Chubatemjen, Nazira Border Magistrate Richand Ahmed and ACF of Sivasagar Ratneswar Pathak had also accompanied the BPCC (A-N) team to this location.
On interaction with the Anaki-C and Anakiyimsen villagers it had emerged that the Nagas always had a very cordial relationship with its neighbour Assam but some third forces are creating nuisance and derailing peace amongst the peace loving citizens from either side. To drive the point straight, Imnakumzuk Longkumer, Council Chairman of Anaki-C had pointed out to the august house that it was the people from Bon Gaon of Geleki area comprising of immigrant Bangladeshis and Nepalis who breach to their traditional Jhumland by clearing jungles assisted by the Assam Police. Later on, these cleared lands are sold to interested rich tea planters from Geleki-Nazira-Sivasagar areas. The council chairman emphasized that on the other hand the Nagas keep obeying to the government dictate which debars them doing any cultivation activities on these areas and therefore asked the Assam officials to stop such encroachment by third forces which is creating more problem in peace building amongst the neighbours. Nazira Border Magistrate took a serious note on this aspect and assured the gathering that he will take appropriate action.
It is reported that one former SDC (Sub-Deputy Collector) of Nazira had awarded land allotment to educated unemployed youth towards the DAB. These youth are encroaching land for tea cultivation in these Naga traditional Jhum lands which is creating uneasy situations. It is understood that the SDC in question had allotted the land bypassing all laid down government rules. On further interaction with the Sivasagar district administration in this regard, the BPCC (A-N) members had been told that the allegation is true and inquiry is on. If the matter is found genuine then the government will revoke the allotment in the interest of public peace.
In a measure to harness peace and to restore the age old relationship between the Nagas and Assamese people, the BPCC (A-N) shall be expanding its arm towards Geleki for forming of peace committee within next couple of weeks comprising of members drawn from both the sides.
In this goodwill tour towards peace building mission, BPCC(A-N) was led by its President BP Bora, Vice President Imsu Jamir, Secretary designate B. Atuba Imchen, Executive members Amal Mili, Phuleswar Gogoi, Dipak Tanti, N. Likok Pongen and Er. Temsu Wathi the Coordinator for Assam & Nagaland.
Later the team reached Yonglok Village (under Longleng district) and interacted with the villagers for furthering peace process with the neighbouing people of Assam. Shingnyu Phom, Council Chairman of the village emphasized on the immediate action to be taken by the Assam Government on the encroachers on their traditional Jhum land from across the trans border. The DFO (Forest) Ranjan Kumar Das and Border Magistrate of Nazira Richand Ahmed had accompanied the BPCC team to this village. The officials from Assam had taken the allegation put forwarded by the Yonglok villagers and assured positive action on the illegal encroachers from Assam.
A public interaction was also held at Singibeel a small township near Geleki where representatives from the villages were present. Nazira Border Magistrate Richand Ahmed presided the meet where Er. Temsu Wathi, Coordinator of BPCC (A-N) had given the keynote address. All the speakers had unanimously voiced for constituting a BPCC (A-N) sub-committee for Geleki-Yonglok-Anaki area comprising representative from both Assam and Nagaland side.
It is pertinent to mention here that the coordination meeting of DCs and SPs of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Mokokchung Districts were held on June 10 and 11 at Mokokchung.
BPCC (A-N) had also visited Anakiyimsen and Anaki-C villages (under Mokokchung district) and interacted with the villagers for peace making mission. The SDO(C) cum Border Magistrate of Tuli Chubatemjen, Nazira Border Magistrate Richand Ahmed and ACF of Sivasagar Ratneswar Pathak had also accompanied the BPCC (A-N) team to this location.
On interaction with the Anaki-C and Anakiyimsen villagers it had emerged that the Nagas always had a very cordial relationship with its neighbour Assam but some third forces are creating nuisance and derailing peace amongst the peace loving citizens from either side. To drive the point straight, Imnakumzuk Longkumer, Council Chairman of Anaki-C had pointed out to the august house that it was the people from Bon Gaon of Geleki area comprising of immigrant Bangladeshis and Nepalis who breach to their traditional Jhumland by clearing jungles assisted by the Assam Police. Later on, these cleared lands are sold to interested rich tea planters from Geleki-Nazira-Sivasagar areas. The council chairman emphasized that on the other hand the Nagas keep obeying to the government dictate which debars them doing any cultivation activities on these areas and therefore asked the Assam officials to stop such encroachment by third forces which is creating more problem in peace building amongst the neighbours. Nazira Border Magistrate took a serious note on this aspect and assured the gathering that he will take appropriate action.
It is reported that one former SDC (Sub-Deputy Collector) of Nazira had awarded land allotment to educated unemployed youth towards the DAB. These youth are encroaching land for tea cultivation in these Naga traditional Jhum lands which is creating uneasy situations. It is understood that the SDC in question had allotted the land bypassing all laid down government rules. On further interaction with the Sivasagar district administration in this regard, the BPCC (A-N) members had been told that the allegation is true and inquiry is on. If the matter is found genuine then the government will revoke the allotment in the interest of public peace.
In a measure to harness peace and to restore the age old relationship between the Nagas and Assamese people, the BPCC (A-N) shall be expanding its arm towards Geleki for forming of peace committee within next couple of weeks comprising of members drawn from both the sides.
In this goodwill tour towards peace building mission, BPCC(A-N) was led by its President BP Bora, Vice President Imsu Jamir, Secretary designate B. Atuba Imchen, Executive members Amal Mili, Phuleswar Gogoi, Dipak Tanti, N. Likok Pongen and Er. Temsu Wathi the Coordinator for Assam & Nagaland.
Football for border peace
During this meet, the importance of having peace committees by the people along the Assam-Nagaland border areas was also emphasized. On the backdrop of this meet, Sivasagar administration were prompt to venture out for such committees and had invited BPCC (A-N) for disseminating the peace process already existing along Jorhat-Mokokchung district borders. To mark as a starter for ushering peace in this region, the Assam forest department is willing to sponsor Sports and Cultural meet at Athkhel area (a centrally located village adjourning Geleki-Yonglok and Anaki village) through Joint Forest Management Committees of this locality. The football league match will kick off from June 28 and final will be played on July 7 marking the culmination of the Forest Festival which is held from July 1 to 7 every year. Several football team alongwith cultural troupes from Nagaland villages adjourning the border have confirmed their participation in the proposed meet at Athkhel.
During this meet, the importance of having peace committees by the people along the Assam-Nagaland border areas was also emphasized. On the backdrop of this meet, Sivasagar administration were prompt to venture out for such committees and had invited BPCC (A-N) for disseminating the peace process already existing along Jorhat-Mokokchung district borders. To mark as a starter for ushering peace in this region, the Assam forest department is willing to sponsor Sports and Cultural meet at Athkhel area (a centrally located village adjourning Geleki-Yonglok and Anaki village) through Joint Forest Management Committees of this locality. The football league match will kick off from June 28 and final will be played on July 7 marking the culmination of the Forest Festival which is held from July 1 to 7 every year. Several football team alongwith cultural troupes from Nagaland villages adjourning the border have confirmed their participation in the proposed meet at Athkhel.
