Assam and Nagaland have agreed to withdraw forces from border: Dy CM

Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Dimapur officials meet in Bokajan

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 30

In the aftermath of the deadly border clash in the Mizoram-Assam inter-state border, Nagaland has ramped up effort to avoid a similar conflict in the contested Assam-Nagaland border. 

The day saw two separate conferences with the Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton meeting civil organisations at the Tzürangkong valley, Mokokchung and in another, Assam and Nagaland officials meeting in Bokajan, Karbi-Anglong. 

As per a DIPR release, the Dy CM Patton told the meeting in Tzürangkong that both the states have agreed to withdraw police forces from the contested territories falling between Assam’s Jorhat and Nagaland’s Mokokchung districts. 

The meeting was preceded by Patton conducting an aerial survey of Vikuto village and Ao Senden village with the Nagaland Commissioner, Nagaland DGP, IGP (Range) and Joint Secretary for Border affairs.

Mokokchung, which shares boundary with Jorhat and Sivasagar, have made the news in recent times after the Assam Police made inroads setting up outposts in Tzürangkong, unsettling border villages.

At the July 30 meeting held at Chungtiayimsen village, Patton told the gathering that the decision to withdraw forces was made at the Chief Ministerial level in the greater interest for maintaining peace in the inter-state borders. 

However, unlike in the past when Assam did not withdraw its forces, while Nagaland did, and instead increasing border police outposts, he asserted that Nagaland “will not withdraw from their outpost unless and until Assam police withdraw from their outposts.”

Patton was quoted as stating, “We will not make the mistake again.”

According to the DIPR report, he also urged the people not to take law into their own hands but to approach the State Government and work together to solve the issue. The border issue is being taken up at the highest level for peaceful resolution, he said, while assuring the house that he would be available for the people at anytime.

Nagaland DGP John Longkumer also addressed the meeting which comprised of leaders from the Ao Senden, Tzürangkong Union, Northern Sümi Union and Tzürangkong Naga Youth Front. He lauded the people of Tzürangkong range for displaying restraint. Longkumer also said that he had spoken with his counterpart in Assam on the issue of withdrawing forces along the disputed area. 

The DIPR release further quoted the Nagaland Commissioner Rovilatuo Mor telling the house that the difficulties faced by people because of economic blockades and harassment to travelers from Nagaland in Assam is being taken up at the Chief Secretariat level of both the States. He said that the Government machinery is working towards resolving the issues amicably and reiterated that physical confrontation should be avoided at any cost. 

Others who spoke at the meeting included Advisor Dr Longrineken, DC and SP Mokokchung, President Ao Senden and President Tzürangkong Union.

Assam-Nagaland officials meet
In the other meeting, Nagaland government officials from Dimapur met Assam government officials from Karbi Anglong and Golaghat in Bokajan. The Dimapur team was led by the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police. The officials met their counterparts from Golaghat and Karbi Anglong, including the DIG (Range) and CRPF officials.  

As per a report of the Dimapur DC, routed through the DIPR, the officials from the border districts agreed to have regular border co-ordination meetings “and also resolved that any border issues shall be settled through dialogues, and keeping all communication channels open.” 

It said that the officials from the three districts acknowledged that as a result of “regular border co-ordination meetings” no major border incidents have taken place in the recent past.  

Working out modalities for withdrawal of forces

Meanwhile, official sources from Mokokchung disclosed that modalities are being worked out to withdraw police forces of both states encamped in the territories claimed by Assam. 

“It has been agreed in principle between both states and the modalities are being worked out at the highest level of government and withdrawal is to be accomplished in an environment of demonstrable transparency and mutual trust among the two states,” said one official. 

It was added that the process of removing the camps of both sides would likely begin in a couple of days after the modalities for withdrawal are agreed “so that no one has a reason to doubt others intention and action.”