DIMAPUR, AUG 9 (MExN): Unhappy with its Assam counterpart in handling the border issue, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) shot off a letter to the president of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) reminding the latter in regard to border tensions created by AASU units of Jorhat district who are, according to the NSF, “staging street protest on the pretext of pressurizing state government of Assam over the so-called boundary disputes”.
“The NSF is very clear in this regard as we respect the (age-old) traditional boundary and we have made our position crystal clear to your union on basis of addressing any contentious issue to be resolved through ‘people to people’s approach’ as agreed between AASU and NSF on 22nd March 2004 at Merapani wherein the two apex students’ fraternity arrived at,” stated Imchatoba Imchen, president and Hetoi Chishi, general secretary in their letter to AASU. It recalled that the AASU and NSF had re-affirmed to uphold the principle of Merapani joint declaration, at the joint meeting at Guwahati on July 14 hosted by AASU and subsequent agreement of joint visit to the Government of two States.
The NSF pointed out to the AASU president that the prevailing tension cropping up in Assam-Nagaland border was verbally communicated to the AASU office several times to advice the subordinate units so as to maintain mutual respect and relationship. “However the federation observes there seems to be no progress and the activities of your unit is adamant and provocative that may escalate unwanted development”, the NSF cautioned.
The NSF pointed out that it believed “in human correlation and is restraining with utmost sagacity, keeping in mind the agreement reached between us” and reminded the AASU that the NSF had “high respect and regard for the indigenous people of Assam (Assamese) who are not at all responsible but the uncalled action of the your subordinate units at the behest of third party creating tension/confusion, taking provocative step in the border is vehemently condemned.”
The NSF as such urged the AASU to contain those misguided youth in the interest of maintaining peaceful co-existence among the indigenous people of the two states. “The Federation shall appreciate your positive action in this regard and shall exercise its utmost restrain but shall not be willing to be forced to defend ourselves”, the NSF letter concluded.
