Thannganing Hungyo
Liphayan | January 13
It is now the prerogative of the Nagaland Government to intervene in the Assam-Nagaland border tension at Liphayan, failing which the Lotha Students’ Union says it will be compelled to undertake phase-II of its operations, which may not turn out to be a ‘pleasant exercise.’
The bone of contention is the construction of a water pump at the area by the Assam Government in Nagaland’s land, according to LSU leaders who have been camping in the area for the past four days. Wokha Deputy Commissioner, B Thanwand Konyak, visited Liphayan Village today and assured that he would take the matter up with higher authorities.
What actually transpired was that the Border Magistrate of the Nagaland side in the area unwittingly appended his signature to the minutes of the meeting of border magistrates of Assam and Nagaland “in good faith” after Assam’s officials ‘monopolized’ the meeting. The Border Magistrate today withdrew his signature from the document he had earlier signed.
LSU President Nzanthung K Yanthan issued a firm warning by saying that if the Deputy Commissioner does not pursue the case, “he will have to go.” The DC, accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Judicial), Niuland, the Border Magistrate of the Area and officials of the LSU, Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union, besides others, called on the Sector Commander of the CRPF, Bijender Singh, stationed there as the “neutral” force. Militarisation, however, appears to be taking a toll on the Naga populace with the CRPF post located just adjacent to the Assam Police outpost. However, the CRPF in the area comes under the command of the IGP Assam as per the 1972 interim agreement signed between the Government of Assam and Nagaland.
Nagas in Liphayan Village are now feeling insecure and the situation is tense with even womenfolk taking to arms, including sticks, to confront any situation. The border problem is not with the Ahoms, but with illegal migrants, mostly Mians, who have settled in the area, analysts say.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Commissioner, TN Mannen, today said he had asked his counterpart to stop construction of the water pump and added, “We are doing whatever we can.”
Nagaland has objected to the deployment of the CRPF on the ground that it will not be a “neutral force” as long as it operates under an Inspector General of Police of Assam.
Doubts about the neutrality of the CRPF were first raised last year after two Naga youth were killed by the paramilitary force at Merapani checkpoint.
It has also been learnt that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is in a meeting today to discuss details of the incident this evening. A statement from his office is expected tomorrow.
Chairman of the Public Grievance Cell Bhandari, Mhonjan Lotha, has laid emphasis on the need of the assembly to floor the 1972 border agreement in Assembly. While the Assam Government has been steadfast in developmental activities in the border areas, the Nagaland Government has neglected the same with even the dusty roads leading to Liphayan Village telling a sorry tale.
Morung Express News
