JORHAT, May 6 (Agencies): Assam has objected to the reported construction of a road and a building by Nagaland under NREGS in the Dishoi Valley reserve forest area in Jorhat district. This is likely to rake up the long-standing border dispute between the two states.
The Jorhat district administration, which claims that the area falls under its jurisdiction, has told Naga officials in Mokokchung district that the exercise violates the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. It also informed the Assam DGP, the additional DG (special branch) and the home commissioner about the incident on April 29.
On Monday, divisional forest officer (Jorhat) RK Das visited the border areas to take stock of the situation. He is expected to submit a report to the forest conservator (Eastern Assam circle) soon. However, with the election process on, the matter cannot be “fully pursued”, officials said.
According to sources, Nagaland has constructed a road and a building in an area under the New Sonowal beat of the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest. The road and the building have been built near the New Sunthia border outpost (Assam). The building houses a Nagaland State Transport Corporation (NSTC) office.
Jorhat deputy commissioner (in-charge) AK Das said the district administration had sent a message to Mokokchung district officials early last month about the “illegal construction”. Das said a meeting between Assam and Nagaland officials is likely to take place after the poll results are out on May 16.
The Jorhat SP said all 13 border outposts have been put on alert. “We have asked all concerned to visit the border outposts regularly and coordinate with forest officials,” Choudhary said.
