Assam and Nagaland

 

Lately there has been another dispute with the people of Assam over the border issue. It is not the first nor will it be the last.

Since the State of Nagaland was created this has remained a perennial problem and will remain so until a lasting solution to the Naga political issue is arrived at for the benefit of all concern. So my question is what should the Nagas do until this vexed question is settled to everyone’s satisfaction.

 As of today we the Nagas are de-facto a part of India until decided otherwise. So we have to live by its constitution and so we cannot from time to time go on raids across the ill-defined boundaries of Assam and Nagaland to create law and order problems. This state of affairs hurts everyone either physically or emotionally.

I in my naïve world view have a view suggestions that I feel can at the very least alleviate some of the problems faced by our State. One or two steps has already been taken up in this direction and kudos to the people of Nagaland for taking the initiative. Hopefully these steps don’t get bogged down in bureaucratic and political incompetence.

As has already been proposed the idea of a foothill road from Peren to Naginimora and beyond is a very good step in terms of more movements of goods between regions of the State. But the question is will the State Government really take up this issue in a war footing, after all decades have passed since this proposal was first mooted.

When or if this link road is complete towns or regions along this highways could be promoted as hubs for economic and educational activities and the financing should be given priority to this areas. With a great amount of the budget going for infrastructure development of these areas. Some regions that come to my mind without any indebt study on my part are Beisumpuikam, Dimapur, Rengmapani, Merapani, Naganijan (Saring), Tuli, Naginimora, Tizit etc. If these towns could be developed into hubs of processing and distribution of goods sourced from the hinterlands surrounding them I am sure the border areas will develop in leap and bounds. And this will de-facto protect our borders from any illegal intrusion. Any laborers or skilled workers from out of State can be given work permits which could be made efficiently available.

This will not only protect the borders but preserve the environment of our hinderland and give the common man of Nagaland a viable alternative to farming. Even farmers would benefit because they would have a ready and available market to earn profits from.

Taxes in these Special Economic Zones should have minimal taxes and all the facilities available for a thriving industries. The example of Meghalaya taking away industries of Assam by providing a more conducive atmosphere for commerce serve as an example.

Law and order of the political kind should be totally left to the armed forces of India and the central Government. And if they show any hesitancy the State Government should hold them accountable in the highest court of land. If even this is not possible they should be told to leave the Nagas areas so that we may settle the problems ourselves.

Coming back to the border areas the issue that is always at the crux of the problem is the way Assam pushes Illegal Bangladeshi on to our lands. So the State Government with all sincerity and in concert with all the States in the region should find out means to stop this menace before it engulf our region.

On our part we must strengthened our police forces and deploy them in larger numbers at the borders while leaving the ordinary law and order problems within Nagaland to the District Enforcement Force.

Lastly, there is no perfect solution to this mess and in order to live with this problem hanging over our heads with the best of our abilities we must always maintain cordial and fraternal ties with people living in these areas.