DIMAPUR, JUNE 3 (MExN): Fresh tension erupted at the Naganijan area, in the Assam-Nagaland border, where one Adivasi worker was killed today. The victim identified as one Sanjay Bhumji had sustained a gunshot wound to his chest and succumbed while being taken to the Jorhat Medical College.
The incident occurred at 9:30 am, when Naga villagers from Saringyim, Longchem and Nokpu had gone to clear their rice fields near the tea estate. Saringyim villagers informed that they heard gunshots from automatic rifles. On reporting the matter to the Village Council the villagers decided to react. An exchange of fire followed between the two sides. The deceased is reported to have been caught in the crossfire, but reports could not confirm as to which side shot the victim.
A press note by the Border Peace Co ordination committee (Assam-Nagaland) confirmed that the person was shot in the paddy field near an irrigation channel – the paddy field lies in lowland between the Naganijan Tea Estate and Saringyim village area. The note also stated that Saringyim villagers alleged that the miscreants/tea workers were backed by the Armed Assam Police, CRPF and All Assam Adivasi Liberation Front (AAALF), who fired upon the Saringyim villagers with automatic weapons. Saringyim villagers reportedly retaliated with 12 bore SBBL/DBBL guns.
On hearing of the incident, the Mokokchung Additional SP and the Mokokchung ADC, Border Magistrate Tsurangkong and the SDPO Mangkolemba rushed to the spot and verified the incident. It is also reported that one platoon of the IRB posted in Saringyim had surveyed the nearby tea estate and declared that it was free of ‘hostile elements.’
Meanwhile, the SP Mokokchung arrived at Saringyim village and met with his Jorhat counterpart. A team of the Mokokchung SP, Additional SP, ADC, Border Magistrate and officials from Assam visited the site of the incident for inspection. Meanwhile, the DIG, Mokokchung range and the IG (PHQ) also arrived at Saringyim and interacted with the villagers. It is reported that both the Jorhat SP and her Mokokchung counterpart have assured to try and maintain peace in the area.
The version of the incident however differs drastically on the Assam side of the border, as Jayanta Goswami, SDC Mariani and currently in-charge of Border Magistrate in Mariani stated that four persons (all residents of Naganijan Tea Estate) were working in their paddy fields within the Naganijan Tea Estate, when some armed miscreants (in civvies) from the Nagaland side fired upon them, injuring one in the chest. The SDC further said that the other three ran away and reported the incident to the Assam armed police stationed at Naganijan.
According to this version, on receiving reports of the firing, Assam police rushed to the spot and were later re-in forced by the Jorhat District Police, who also fired back at the Naga “miscreants”. The SDC informed that the injured person was retrieved but succumbed to injury, probably, due to bleeding.
IANS news reports suggest that a group of five armed men, who looked like Naga militants, fired indiscriminately on the labourers. It however stated that the SP Mokokchung ruled out the involvement of Naga militants in the incident and said the culprits would be arrested soon.
However, till the filing of this report, the actual cause of the incident could not be ascertained. At present, the officials from the Nagaland Police and district administration are at the spot to take stock of and monitor the situation which is reported to be tense. It is learned that the Assam government has given an ex gratia amount of Rs five lakhs to the next of kin of the deceased and have also offered Rs ten thousand for cremation.
The Mokokchung town lanur telongjem (youth organization) held an emergency meeting today and resolved to stand by the Ao Senden resolution directing all Ao people starting from 18 years and above to “be ready for any eventualities in the wake of the ongoing bandh.” The MTLT called upon all Ao youths in Mokokchung “to be ready and prepared as and when the Ao Senden will call for their services and sacrifices.” This was issued by the President of the MTLT, Imkongsanen through its media cell.
BPCC (A-N) appeals for peace
In light of the incident, the Border Peace Co ordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) has expressed shock at the “gunning to death” of Sanjay Bhumji of Naganijan Tea Estate near the Assam Nagaland border on the morning of June 3. A press note by the President of the BPCC (A-N), BP Bora and its Vice President, Imsu Jamir appealed for NGOs and governments of both Assam and Nagaland to stop the deterioration of the situation any further and ensure peace and coordination of the border suffering people.
APO express solidarity
The Angami Public Organisation has expressed solidarity with the Ao Senden in its stand “to get justice and safeguard the interest of the people.” The APO stated its concern that “some negative elements are intruding to disturb the age-old relationship between the people of Assam and Nagaland with vested interest to serve its nefarious purpose.” The APO appealed to both the government of Assam and Nagaland to immediately have a dialogue and take steps to address the grievances of the people. It further appealed to the Nagaland state government, Naga national groups, organizations and individuals to give support and cooperation to the Ao Senden.
