The dangerous position adopted by the Nagaland state government and Dimapur district administration with regard to the status of Naga lands bordering Assam is disturbing. The boundary issue between Nagaland and Assam is a result of British mismanagement if indigenous Naga people and their land without taking the landowners into confidence. Arbitrary division of ancestral Naga lands did not matter to them so long as their administrative and political objectives were met. After independence, successive Indian governments failed to transfer Naga lands to Nagaland. There is a clear written document in the form of 9 point agreement also known as Sir Akbar Hydari Agreement signed after a prolonged discussion between Naga representatives and the Indian government from 27th to 29th June, 1947. Clause 4 and 6 states the fact. Approximately an area of 4,974.16 sq. Miles, occupied by Assam must be transferred back to Nagaland.
This issue will have to be corrected through reoccupation of the areas by the Naga people followed by political agreement for formal transfer to Nagaland. The Naga political struggle is about the Naga people and their land, and therefore, GPRN/NSCN believes that Naga people reclaiming their ancestral land bordering Assam is inevitable. GPRN/NSCN appreciates the initiatives of the United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA). It is unwise on the part of the Nagaland state government not to allow Nagas from occupying their ancestral land.
Ancestral land of the Nagas cannot be given out to accommodate illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other landless people. GPRN/NSCN urge the Dimapur district administration to give full co-operation to UNTABA, which is diligently working to educate both the Nagas and Assamese to live in peace recognizing historical facts about ancestral Naga lands.
GPRN/NSCN also informs the village councils and elders of Indisen villages, Rilan, Aoyimkum and other Naga villages along the so-called disputed area to co-operate with UNTABA in their effort to salvage the common property. The state government has recognized the above mentioned villages which lie in the same belt, who has the authority to prevent other Nagas from settling beyond these villages? Village elders along disputed belt should avoid in petty politics such as informing the district administrations or Assam police to intercept fellow Nagas from moving beyond their village gates. This kind of acts amount to treachery within the Naga family and therefore appropriate measures could be initiated.
In the 1840’s, Nowgong was the principle British administrative headquarters for the Naga lands. Samaguting (Chumukedima) was another British administrative centre\. Historical facts cannot be erased. Assam is today flooded with illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The floating population is pouring into neighbouring Nagaland unabated. The state government is blind to this phenomenon and instead, an effort is on to create a barricade against Nagas attempting to occupy their ancestral land. GPRN/NSCN demands the state government to direct the district administration in all border areas to assist UNTABA in protecting and defending Naga lands against immigrants.
Issued by:
MIP,
GPRN/NSCN
