DIMAPUR, FEB 17 (MExN): The Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) has demanded the immediate suspension of John B Chawang, the SDO (Civil) Ralan who also holds the post of Border Magistrate (BM), Uriamghat. The students have made this demand as a response to a circular drafted by the person in question. The LSU has termed the circular as an “historical blunder.” The circular issued on November 9 last had directed all commercial vehicles and establishments to obtain permission for carrying out their activities from the border magistrates of both Assam and Nagaland. “It is highly questionable as to why Nagas living in our own land have to obtain permission from others to carry out any activities,” a release said.
When the LSU met the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, the DC is said to have admitted that he was not aware of such a circular and that the SDO had not informed him of such a development. Chawang is alleged of surrendering the rights of the Nagas over their ancestral lands. The powerful student body has demanded an apology from Chawang and has told him to withdraw the circular. Abrogation of the Interim agreement of 1972 signed between Nagaland and Assam has also been demanded.
Cruelty by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force towards ‘Naga boys’ has also been alleged of. “Two years back at the CRPF check gate, Yanpha, the CRPF caught some local boys in a minor scuffle and took them to their camp and thrashed them like animals,” the LSU alleged. The immediate removal of the CRPF Post “in the heart of the Naga Village (Yanpha)” has been demanded.
