Pfoshuo Ariicho
Dimapur | January 10
The hearing of the local commission instituted by Supreme Court to “identify the constitutional boundary” of Assam and Nagaland, in a bid to end the territory dispute between the two neighbouring states, concluded today with Assam still emphasizing on 1925 border demarcation and accusing Nagaland of encroaching its land in the border areas. Nagaland, on the other hand, has stiffly opposed the 1925 border demarcation and has made its stand clear that it will not accept the 1925 demarcation which Assam is trying to make as the final border.
While Nagaland’s claim has been based on historicity, rights and self determination, Assam’s position is based on constitutionality and being a part of a larger geo-political entity.
A decisive settlement of boundaries during the British Raj came in 1925. This notification (No. 3102R dated 25th November 1925), issued by G T Lloyd, Second Secretary to the Government of Assam, was based on Survey of India reports made during surveys of 1923. The demarcation was done with boundary pillars that were mainly earthen mounds where wooden frames were placed and marked.
Kailash Vasdev, Senior Advocate, Counsel for Nagaland interacting with media persons said that the government has demarcated no constitutional boundaries for Assam and Nagaland since Nagaland was then a district of Assam. He said that Assam is relying on the 1925 boundaries for “district purposes, administrative and revenue reasons.”
Nagaland has earlier demanded a solution to the dispute from the ‘traditional and political perspective.’
Vasdev further said that the area of Nagaland is a reduced area occupied by others and further reduced by the people who were not taken into confidence during the signing of 16 Point Agreement in 1960.
Nagaland Government has also demanded the determination of the boundary by including the Naga areas in Assam which were excluded from the state at the time of its formation in 1962. Maintaining that the boundary was not drawn and the people were never consulted, Nagaland Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary TN Manen said that Naga areas which were excluded before should be transferred back to Nagaland, which he said, is mentioned in the 9 Point Agreement and further emphasized on the 16 Point Agreement.
On Assam’s allegation that Nagaland was encroaching Assam’s land, Mannen said that the question of encroachment does not arise as ‘there is no proper boundary.’
With the Local Commission coming for the first time to survey the claims of both the state, it may also be mentioned that this is the first time Nagaland Government’s boundary claim has been put in record in the Supreme Court. T.N. Mannen, satisfied with the hearing, said that the claims of both the states have been presented in detail and that it was very educative. The next hearing is expected to be held in the month of March in Guwahati.
Morung Express News
