Dimapur, Dec 17 (MExN): Central Police Reserve Force deployed in the borders of Assam and Nagaland, particularly those around Bokajan and disputed border areas towards Assam side have resorted to thievery and harassment of Naga villagers. Wanton acts of the CRPF include forcing Naga farmers to part with their paddy at gun point and selling the same in the local market, it was informed.
According to accounts from an ex-GB, Sukio Lotha, drawing the attention of the Nagaland and Assam governments as well as concern CRPF authorities, the commandant of the force deployed at Bokajan and in-charge of DAB area is conniving with illegal immigrants to harass Naga villagers of the border areas. The commandant has even gone down to the extent of ‘extorting’ paddy. The account pointed out the CRPF’s siphoning their “share” of harvest under the direction of the Bokajan CRPF Commandant.
For instance, on December 5 a Naga landowner was forced to part with his harvest at gun point, all thanks to the commandant. The landowners had stored his crops in a granary when the post commander along with his forces from Chittiagaon took away the paddy at gunpoint and was sold in the local market. The thieving CRPF force then claimed the ‘confiscated’ paddy as the police forces’ “share’ of the harvest, the GB pointed out. It was also informed that the group harassed and humiliated villagers for several hours before the Border Magistrate (Nagaland) from Uriamghat arrived to diffuse the situation.
“The CRPF don’t have even a scant regard for the advice and directives of the BM of Nagaland even to the extent of Post Commander, Chittiagaon, saying they (CRPF) are not in need of BM” the GB lamented. The account further pointed out that before the posting of the CRPF in the disputed border areas, villages and communities from both Assam and Nagaland were able to cultivate in peace and they lived in harmony as well. However, with the arrival of the present CRPF deployment the fabric of peace and harmony has degenerated due to the commandant’s selfish motives. This has also led to illegal immigrants conniving with the CRPF and alienating Naga inhabitants in the border areas, the account stated.
Concern authorities are urged to intervene immediately. Naga villagers are fighting for rights in their own land against the ill-motivated onslaught of illegal immigrants and biased CRP Force, the account stated and has called for intervention without delay. In the event of failure to heed the call, Naga villagers should not be blamed for any ‘undesirable occurrence’ in the mentioned areas, it cautioned.
