Morung Express News
Mokokchung | August 7
Thousands of Nagas turned up to attend a public meeting called by the Ao Senden this morning at 7:00 AM at the Mokokchung town police point. The public meeting was called by the Ao Senden in the backdrop of the All Assam Students’ Union reportedly planning to march up to Longtho under Tzurangkong range on August 8. The Tzurangkong range falls under Mokokchung district of Nagaland. It is also reported that the mob led by AASU has plans to dismantle the Tzutepela check-post in Tzurangkong area.
It was resolved at the meeting that the ownership of the Ao Nagas over their land is undeniable and that not even an inch of Ao land shall be allowed to part from the ownership of the Ao Nagas. The Ao Senden further reiterated its resolution adopted on July 11, 2007 and called upon all the villages in the Ao Naga country to be prepared for any eventuality in the event of an Assam-Nagaland border crisis. It was also resolved that the Ao Senden may convene emergency public meetings as per the demands of the situation.
Furthermore, all the village authorities were directed to be prepared with necessary equipments and volunteers to deal with the impending situation, if need be.
It may be mentioned that the Ao Senden has initiated and dispatched some volunteers to all the vital posts in Tzurangkong on 6th August to support and assist the Ao Naga border villages.
The Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Abhishek Singh who also spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Government said that he is maintaining a good rapport with his counterpart in Jorhat on this particular issue. He said that the Government will not remain a mute spectator if the AASU proceeds with its reported march to Tzurang. He also added that additional police forces have been rushed to Tsutapela check gate and necessary measures have been taken so far. He also hinted the district administration might need the assistance of the general public if the situation worsens.
Although the public meeting ended calmly, the proceeding was held in an uneasy setting with the angst of the people boiling up by the minute at the news of the AASU’s plan. Most of those gathered for the meeting expected a drastic move by the Ao Senden, even to the extend of going down to Tzurangkong with arms, dispersed with discontentment and some even termed the resolutions adopted as too mild and insignificant.
