Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 27
The tension, and occasional violent upheavals, in the border shared by Assam and Nagaland are the handiwork of political parties harnessing the vote bank illegal immigrants offer. This new angle to the Assam-Nagaland border issue was highlighted today at the consultative interactions between Nagaland’s and Assam’s civil society, in Merapani.
Political parties in the borders engage in exploiting sensitive sentiments of the area people and illegal immigrants, to gain political mileage. Their activities are aimed at harnessing the huge vote bank the illegal immigrants offer, said Lachit Bordoloi. Bordoloi is the chief convener of Peoples’ Committee for Peace Initiative of Assam (PCPIA). The Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association and the Naga Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) interacted with Assam’s civil society under the aegis of PCPIA, in Merapani. People from both sides of the border attended the public interactions.
According to Bordoloi, the pulse of the people of Assam is peace and resolution of the tenacious border issue, with Nagaland. Notwithstanding the peace efforts, political parties are exploiting sensitive sentiments of the locals, and of course, illegal immigrants and settlers to gain a political foothold. Terming these detrimental elements as “the third force” Bordoloi also accused the Center of sponsoring some of these “third force” sections for electoral benefits.
Bordoloi told The Morung Express that this required a peoples-to-peoples’ dialogue where differences can be laid out and settled. He emphasized on peaceful initiatives to diffusing the border differences and tension between the two neighbors. “We believe that only through peoples’ dialogue the tension will be eased and differences solved” he reminded. Also, he held opinion that issues such as the border claims can be solved by ‘traditional’ means. Bordoloi highlighted village councils (in Nagaland) and Panchayats (In Assam). These local entities hold much influence in decision-making and can play relevant and crucial role in impacting peaceful settlement of the issue, he said.
In the same vein, Secretary General of NPMHR Dr. Venuh said the ‘traditional’ angle was highlighted at the public meeting in Merapani. He observed the pulse of people of Assam, like Nagaland’s, is for early resolution of the issue. While no specific or decided further step was undertaken, it is understood that the state governments and the Center as well, be met. The NPMHR leader informed that the interactions highlighted the need for settlement/course of action toward resolution, to be people-based.
Dr. Venuh also acknowledged that the reception and response of the Assam’s people was ‘good.’ He also highlighted the issue of illegal immigrants as being a detrimental force eating into the border issue between the two neighbors. He also termed them the “third force.” To check this divisive element, the need for trust and understanding between Assam and Nagaland’s people was stressed at the public meetings, he said.
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