By Imkong Walling
Assam and Nagaland share a chequered love-hate history. The contradiction arising from a longstanding dispute over territory estimated to span some 12,000-plus square kilometres in area, designated officially as the Disputed Area Belt (DAB).
Conflict becomes rather inevitable in such circumstance, where even the slightest spark have snowballed into broader conflicts. While the two state governments peddle diplomacy in officialdom, the recent turn of events in the Golaghat-Wokha stretch of the DAB vis-à-vis the eviction of allegedly illegal immigrants has tossed up a bizarre scenario.
Contrary to the painted notion of a joint exercise, it appears more like a unilateral act of the Assam government, while the Nagaland state government seems like a reluctant companion, tagging along out of courtesy. The perceived reluctance apparent in the frugal deployment of forces by the Nagaland government as opposed to the thousands of police and forest guards deployed by its counterpart. Whatever little that was deployed by the Nagaland government largely remained mute over the course of the eviction.
As marketed in official communiqués, the two state governments banded together to expel illegal immigrants, and jointly plant trees on the cleared lands. But the Assam government’s proprietary posturing over the evicted lands has had apprehension brewing on the Nagaland side.
The subsequent plantation drive, also marketed as a joint effort, gave way to unease as the Assam authorities began fencing off the cleared lands. Accusations of intrusion and encroachment into each other’s territory flowed both ways, giving rise to confrontations between the Assam Police and civilians on the Nagaland side.
The Assam Chief Minister, effervescent as ever, tried to dispel the rumoured encroachments, but fell short of calming apprehension.
Two days later, on August 23, there was a summit, branded as a “consultative meeting,” between the two state governments led by Cabinet Ministers from both sides. The meeting atmosphere was one of warmth. Consultative dialogue was the intent. Bettering relations and standing together against a ghostly existential threat was the tune. The outward display of warmth and triumph, however, belied the hurt of the displaced victims and the sense of unease conspicuous in the air.
The meeting setting was a once thriving market town, known as Bidyapur on the Assam side, before it was demolished during the eviction.
As for the Nagaland contingent, something felt amiss amid the display of official courtesy. The Assam government played the title-holder on land that was under adjudication — and technically, owned by neither — while playing host to a neighbour it took to court over the very land they were conferencing on.
The Nagaland side wanted the plantation drive halted for the interim on grounds that it could cause friction in an already fragile environment. The Assam side was of the opinion that it should continue till it is discussed by the CMs of both states. There was no comment on a standing ‘Interim 1972 Agreement’ that restrains any activity by both sides in the DAB. It was a literal stalemate by definition.
But two things it has achieved for certain— displacing a historically harried and marginalised community; and fomenting anxiety in disputed border land overflowing with stress already.
The writer is a Principal Correspondent at The Morung Express. Comments can be sent to imkongwalls@gmail.com
