Morung Express News
Wokha | August 26
The Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) has condemned the alleged assault of Longayim and Longchum village council members during the reported confrontations at Negheribil, a disputed area along the Assam-Nagaland border.
According to LLRPO Joint Secretary Zathungo Yanthan, tensions first arose on August 25 when members of the Longayim Village Council were returning from the Rubber Board of India after collecting rubber saplings meant for distribution among villagers for plantation on their respective farms.
Yanthan stated that their route to Longayim passes through the disputed Negheribil belt, where a barricade had reportedly been put up by the Forest Department, Government of Assam. The vehicle carrying the village council members was stopped by police, who restricted their movement, it was reported.
Yanthan said a discussion with the authorities was underway when a crowd gathered at the location, eventually leading to a scuffle. The situation was brought under control following the intervention of police personnel, civil administration officials and border magistrates from Assam and Nagaland. The council members were later permitted to continue towards Longayim.
The situation reportedly escalated again on August 26. Yanthan said the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Wokha, had visited Negheribil for an on-the-spot assessment and invited LLRPO representatives to accompany them.
While proceeding towards the site, Yanthan said he encountered another confrontation, with an estimated 200–300 people from Assam gathered at the location and allegedly restricting movement.
He further stated that the chairmen of the Longayim and Longchum village councils arrived on two-wheelers. With the road blocked, they reportedly sounded their horns, after which the crowd allegedly became agitated and attacked the two village council leaders.
Police personnel present at the site intervened and acted to control the situation, Yanthan said.
He also alleged that the crowd later accused him of having been present at the site on August 25 and physically assaulted him. According to Yanthan, his mobile phone was taken away, while some women in the crowd allegedly slapped and manhandled him.
Condemning the alleged incidents, Yanthan described the assault as unwarranted and called for those responsible to be identified and arrested.
The LLRPO also urged the authorities to take appropriate measures to prevent further escalation of tensions and ensure the safety and free movement of people in the disputed area.
As per The Assam Tribune report residents of No. 2 Negheribil lodged a police complaint on Wednesday alleging assault and unlawful entry by a group from Nagaland following a fresh confrontation.
The complaint at Merapani Police Station came hours after a meeting was held to defuse tensions over an incident reported on Tuesday evening, it stated.
According to the complaint, trouble erupted when vehicles carrying rubber saplings attempted to enter a recently evicted area and were stopped by Assam Forest Department personnel. The situation escalated when about 30-40 people, led by one “Hussain Lotha,” chairman of Longayim and Mikirang villages, entered the area armed with sharp weapons, intimidated residents and assaulted them, causing injuries.
The villagers have sought legal action and expressed apprehension over further disturbances, according to The Assam Tribune.
