Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 4
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton today made a statement in the 7th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on the recent eviction drive in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the Nagaland-Assam border.
Patton said the first information regarding a survey for eviction in the Reserve Forest area by the Assam Government was received on July 16, 2025, and the State Government has been actively monitoring the situation under the supervision of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
On July 17, the Border Magistrate of Uriamghat, Nagaland, raised the issue with the Border Magistrate of Surapathar and conducted an on-site verification to assess Assam officials’ activities. A joint coordination meeting between the Deputy Commissioners and SPs of Niuland and Wokha and their counterparts from Golaghat, Assam, was held at Surapathar on July 22, Patton said.
Patton added that on July 24, he, along with MLAs Achumbemo Kikon (40 Bhandari AC), leaders from Lotha Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union, and Western Sumi Hoho, toured the DAB areas of Wokha and Niuland, interacting with the public and local leaders.
Following deliberations, the State Cabinet on July 30 decided that eviction drives would be jointly conducted by Nagaland and Assam authorities to prevent unilateral actions and curb illegal influx, Patton stated.
On August 21, reports emerged of Assam’s Forest Department preparing plantations and erecting boundary pillars in evicted DAB areas in Wokha, raising objections from Nagaland residents. The Chief Secretary of Nagaland issued a press communiqué reiterating that any activity in the DAB must be conducted jointly by the two states.
A second DC-level meeting between officials of Wokha and Golaghat was held on August 21. On the same day, the Chief Minister of Nagaland instructed Patton to meet Assam’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Accordingly, on August 23, Patton, MLAs Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe and Achumbemo Kikon, and senior officials met Assam delegates.
“Based on intensive discussions, it was decided that no further plantation or erection of pillars will take place until the matter is resolved at the Chief Minister level between the two states,” Patton said.
On August 26, the Cabinet further decided that all illegal immigrants should be evicted, and any plantation should be carried out jointly by Nagaland and Assam, with coordination between district administrations, police, forest departments, and local residents.
The Cabinet also decided to communicate with the Union Home Ministry regarding the continued presence of Assam Police forces in the DAB, which Patton said contravenes the 1972 Interim Agreement between Nagaland and Assam. He noted that Assam has 45 permanent police posts in the DAB, while Nagaland’s five pre-1972 posts were withdrawn and most temporary posts remain non-permanent. Operational control of the CRPF neutral force is currently vested with Assam’s ADGP (Border) instead of a joint command.
Patton added that the Cabinet has agreed in principle to set up a Special Border Response Force (SBRF), comprising personnel from Border Affairs, Police, and Forest Departments for rapid response to any border issues.
Assuring vigilance, Patton said, “Our State Government under Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio is giving top priority to the issue and is actively monitoring all matters related to eviction drives and other border concerns with Assam, both at central and state levels.”
He appealed to civil society, the media, and the public to verify information before believing unsubstantiated reports from the DAB area. Patton assured that the state government is taking all necessary steps to safeguard the interests of Nagaland and its residents in border districts, ensuring any eviction or plantation drive is conducted jointly with Assam authorities.
