MOKOKCHUNG, FEB 22 (DIPR): A meeting between Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung and his Sibsagar District Counterpart was held at the DC’s Chamber on February 20 for a discussion on the incident at Anaki Village along Assam–Nagaland border on February 18 where a team of police personnel had burnt down a few houses in the village and detained 6 (six) villagers.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Sibsagar, SDO (C) Nazira, DFO (T) Sibsagar, SDPO Nazira, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tuli, Commandant ‘S’ NAP Tuli, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, and the following operational procedure for Mokokchung and Sibsagar district border affairs has been finalized:-
1. Whenever there is any allegation from either side in matters of encroachment, etc. the administration/Police/forest Officers concerned will inform their counterpart within 24 hours about the development for joint verification. No arrests/unilateral action will be taken before joint verification.
2. Arrests of citizens of Nagaland will be done by authorities/police of Nagaland and arrest of citizens of Assam will be done by Assam Police/authorities. These provisions will apply for border encroachment allegation only and not for heinous crimes.
3. In case of issues which cannot be resolved within the Additional Deputy Commissioner, SDO (C) level, the matter will be taken up in Deputy Commissioner’s level.
4. Whenever villagers go for fresh jhum cultivation, it should be informed to the local counterpart about the areas being covered. Status quo will be maintained as far as the existing jhum fields are concerned (i.e. outside R.F. area).
5. Regular Border level meeting will be held and efforts will be made to form a border peace Committee involving villagers from both sides.
6. Both sides resolved to ensure peace and tranquility in border areas and ensure amicable resolution of issues till the border issue is resolved finally by the local commission appointed by the Supreme Court.
