Kohima, November 30 (MExN): The Nagaland Congress Committee (NPCC) today condemned the killing of “6 innocent citizens by Assam Police/Forest Guards at Mukhroh in Meghalaya” on November 22 and also called for neutral border commissions to solve inter-state disputes.
A press release issued by NPCC President K Therie further alleged that “under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, North-East has lost” 28 lives in recent times, including 7 Assam police personnel, 14 civilians of Oting Village on December 4, 2021. A civilian traveler from Nagaland was also detained and tortured to death in Police custody at Sibsagar, Assam on August 16, 2022 and now 6 at Mukhroh in Meghalaya, it said.
“All the above situations and loss of lives could have been avoided with a little patience, tolerance and reasoning,” the NPCC said, adding that the entire NE is now travelling with uneasiness.
“Being the Chairman of NEDA, we expect him to rise above Assam State and contain peace and goodwill for the growth of the Northeast,” it said, adding that Sarma is also expected to apply his mind to resolve the interstate boundary disputes and maintain peaceful atmosphere using the forum.
The NEDA Members are equally responsible for the failures and their inability to assess the situation in time and evolve solutions, it argued.
The NPCC also highlighted how British administrative boundary demarcation in many areas have drawn most of the boundary lines with watershed and river basins or streams and some pillars.
Citing the example of Angh’s house of Longwa Village, divided between Myanmar and India as it “falls on the ridge that was demarcated based on water shed,” the NPCC said that neutral commissions are needed to study the situations and make recommendations for decisions.
In practice therefore, the State authorities should honour two boundaries- Interstate boundaries for administration, while traditional boundaries for right of use, it added
It may be difficult but they have not made efforts, the NPCC said, adding that if they have no idea, they should read the Constitution or should consult pioneer leaders. ‘If need be, approach Government of India.’
Northeast people should seriously ponder together and make decisions for peaceful coexistence. We are interdependent both in politics and economy. If our leaders cannot keep up with time, either they should change their watch or the people have to change their leaders.
