The indefinite road blockade against Nagaland state entered its third day on February 27, while security was tightened on the Nagaland side of the border, to prevent flaring of tension in the disputed border area lying between Dimapur and Karbi-Anglong. The situation though was said to be under control as prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Cr.PC was in place on the Nagaland side of the border.
According to the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur, two companies of NAP (IR) personnel have been deployed close the affected border area, south of National Highway 36. On the situation, the SP said that all possible measures have been taken to prevent movement of people towards the area in dispute. The area in contention is said to run some 7 kilometres in length.
Early on Thursday morning, reports emerged of houses being burned close to the affected area. According to the reports, seven houses were burned in a settlement located near Lahorijan Border Police Outpost on the Assam side. In the evening, more reports of fire in the area emerged but it was later confirmed by Dimapur police that it was a result of burning vegetation.
During the day, the Dimapur district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner, the SP and the SP (Border) met with its Karbi-Anglong counterparts at Khatkhati. Details of what transpired in the meeting were not disclosed but the current road blockade was at the core of the meeting. The DC, Dimapur said that the KA counterparts were informed of the measures taken on the Nagaland side. The KA counterparts were also reported to be in the process of meeting with the Karbi-Anglong based organisations.
Meanwhile, Newmai News Network cited a source close to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressing hope that things will be fine soon. “We are putting our maximum effort to ease the situation and to call off the agitation of the Karbi Anglong based organisations,” stated the source, as per NNN.
With NNN inputs
