Merapani, on the Assam side, is today a bustling centre of trade and development, with reinforced infrastructure and urban facilities. (Photo courtesy: WC Humtsoe)
Dimapur, September 14 (MExN): Many from the younger Naga generation do not know that in 1985 a fierce interstate war was fought between Assam and Nagaland at the border town of Merapani over the long-standing border dispute between the two states. While Nagaland police and civil forces clearly routed the Assam police, nonetheless many lives from both sides were lost.
After the brief war, a peace deal was struck between the two state governments. Life goes on, but in the 25th year after the bloody skirmishes, it is clear who has won that brief war. On the Assam side of Merapani, seeming development, prosperity and growth of local economy are palpable. A budding business hub, normal trade continues everyday as usual; well-established infrastructure and college and schools, a hospital, other government departmental peripheries and even a full-fledged police station.
On the Nagaland side of Merapani, the ruins of the Nagaland Government Veterinary check-post destroyed during the war, 25 years ago, still lie unattended; roads leading beyond and behind the bush have been cut across by the command post of the “neutral force”, the Central Reserve Police Force, under the control of Assam government;
The organization of the Assam government peripherals is efficient: “… a semi literate constable is even authorized to summon you at whims at the check gate because for him who cares, he may be just doing his duty innocently not aware that he is infringing on others fundamental rights too,” stated citizen WC Humtsoe today. Humtsoe reflected the aftermath of the Assam-Nagaland border skirmishes, in an article today.
WC Humtsoe reflects: “Who will deliver justice to the people vindicated by circumstances… the Supreme Court of India? The historical and traditional facts? The state governments? The border people of the two states themselves? The great Merapani tamasha round-2 again? Or the Neutral forces deployed at the DAB? (But will it be logical for any force to be neutral when they are under the control of one party of the two warring sides?).” “It is for the people in authority to decide for their subjects and a history of legacy to record their wisdom,” the citizen ponders.
