Urges Karbi, Naga bodies to step forward for the ‘common good’
DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (MExN): The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising of Rangapahar S Hukavi Zhimomi Colony, Sangtamtila village, Muruse village, Thahekhu village and Thahekhu Block-7, has expressed hope that the consultative meeting of Naga and Karbi bodies on May 13 would be successful in amicably resolving the border issue “once and for all.” This, the JAC asserted, needs to be done in order to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two communities.
The JAC, in a press note, lamented that “people at the helm of affairs” in both Assam and Nagaland had failed to pay heed to the border issue and stated that “some innocent lives could have been saved, easing border tension.” “However, it is better late than never. It is encouraging to learn, that at last Karbi-Naga organizations feel the necessity to discuss the border issue,” the JAC added. It called upon both sides to “exercise optimum wisdom and restraint so as to arrive at a feasible and logical conclusion.”
The JAC listed three points which it stated need to be given “serious consideration.” Firstly it stated that the permanent inter-state boundary demarcation is “non-existent.” It then added that the reserved forest demarcation “has never been or will never be” considered an inter-state boundary. It informed that as per the interim agreement 1972, the reserved forest(s) under disputed areas shall remain under supervision of the Assam Forest Department during the “dispute period only.” However, it said that the forest under disputed area “does not belong” to either Assam or Nagaland. Lastly, the JAC made it clear that the Dimapur Rangapahar Army cantonment fencing can never be considered as an inter-state boundary.
It may be noted that the Naga Hoho had called for a consultative meeting of Naga and Karbi bodies to discuss the border issue on May 23. In this regard, the JAC called upon the leaders to “willingly step forward” for the “common good” of the two communities.
