Dimapur, September 16 (MExN): The Border Peace Coordination Committee of Assam and Nagaland (BPCC-AN) and eminent Assamese educationists today cautioned media and newspapers in Assam against making unwarranted, biased and communal statements on sensitive matters such as the Assam-Nagaland border issue. The committee – which comprises of both Assamese and Naga civil leaders took strong exception of a small Assam newspaper “Dainik Agradoot”, September 7, 2010 calling a senior member of the committee and government officer a “spy” “extremely suspicious” and accused of ‘engineering encroachment into Assam lands.’
An incredibly astounding report from this ill-informed Assamese newspaper claimed Temsu Wathi, also DIO (NIC) of Mokokchung district, is “engineering the affairs of Nagas’ territorial expansionism” and “working as a spy of Nagaland Government”! Wathi is also coordinator of the committee.
The BPCC-AN, seven other organizations and well-wishers held a press conference at Jorhat Press Club on September 16 and strongly vetted the “Dainik Agradoot” report. The media appreciated the efforts of the BPCC (A-N) and warned the newspapers citing ill-informed news on sensitive matters such as border issues.
Since the reported news emerged, many – including from Assam – have come forward to nullify the news item. Purander Bhuyan, a 76 year old retired teacher said he was the real mentor of Temsu Wathi at the Hunwal TE L.P. School in Mariani and praised the DIO for his pivotal role as an effective worker bridging Assam and Naga peoples. He said Temsu Wathi is comparable with Late Jyouti Prasad Agarwalla, from the Maruari community, but born and brought up in Assam. Temsu Wathi is a Naga-Assamese dynamic youth who is continuously working to uplift the age old good relations between the Nagas and Ahoms that existed from time immemorial, it was stated.
Also Bidya Bora, a 66 year old retired teacher, nurtured Temsu Wathi at Mahadev Agarwalla Government High School in Mariani.
He said that those whoever is involved to tarnish the yeoman’s services rendered by Temsu Wathi to the people of both states of Assam and Nagaland should learn lessons from Wathi “who not only served the All Assam Students Union at school & college days at various capacities but also jailed for stirring the infamous Assam Agitation programs at different times.”
Bora felt proud that his student, a Naga blooded boy but more of an Assamese who is thorough in “Asom Buranji.” Wathi is also a letter-mark scorer in Assamese language paper in HSLC and rose to height in government service. ‘But still sacrifices for the cause of harmony and peace for the masses,’ it was said of Wathi by his mentors.
Prafulla Rajguru, founder-President of Jorhat Press Club and retired principal who taught Temsu Wathi at JB College Jorhat was surprised to note the newspaper’s content and dismissed saying that the reporter hardly know this Naga-Assamese officer.
An emergency executive meeting of the BPCC was held on the 10th to react to the newspaper’s report where the ‘alleged person concerned was associated in the meeting.’ None of the members have any question against Wathi, who is rendering yeoman’s service, the BPCC stated today.
A message sent to the BPCC from the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung was also made known to the gathering. The DC of Mokokchung has termed the news item as a very serious allegation not only against the officer but against the government.
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