Aghunaqa GBs plea for Nagaland Govt’s intervention
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 27
Aghunaqa Kukami Kuqhakulu (AKK-Aghunaqa GB’s Union) on Monday alleged that the Naga people living in Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) at Aghunaqa under Niuland were constantly harassed by Assam Police and Forest Personnel who vitiate the peaceful atmosphere.
Addressing media persons in Dimapur, AKK President, Mughavi Awomi alleged that the area has been “going through a tense atmosphere” for the past several days.
He said that the peaceful atmosphere at Luhezhe village was disturbed on November 10 when the Assam Police and Forest Personnel without any prior information came and forcefully seized the village saw mill and furniture in broad daylight shouting slogans in the middle of the village.
Again on November 22, the same group along with a crowd came to the village, burnt a public thatch house and also burnt the effigy of PM, N. Modi, he added.
Adding to the tension in the area, Mughavi said, the Border Magistrate of Assam visited the area on the same day when preparation for Aghunaqa GB’s Trophy was ongoing and wrongly reported to the Assam government that Nagas were trying to occupy Assam land and establish a sub-divisional office at DAB area.
He said the wrong report was telecast in the Assam visual media which created further tension.
“We are old settlers of Aghunaqa area but Assam accuses us of occupying a new settlement,” Mughavi added.
It was also informed that the situation led to a meeting between the DIG Border, SP Border, designated officials of Assam and Nagaland, neutral forces and Aghunqa GBs.
Although the meeting ended positively, the misinterpretation of its outcome again led to the visit of Assam Agriculture Minister along with an MP, MLAs, Assam BJP President, Golaghat BJP President and other leaders on November 25.
AKK office bearers also informed that the public of Aghunaqa area were constantly harassed by Assam Police who conduct random checking of vehicles at DAB area falling inside Nagaland. They said that Assam Police had established five outposts and some polling stations inside Aghunaqa area and constantly patrols inside DAB on Nagaland side. On the contrary, there is not even a single Nagaland Police outpost at Aghunaqa area. They asserted that Nagaland side have been respecting the Supreme Court order to maintain status quo but Assam Police have been going against the order and do not even respect the presence of neutral forces. They also maintained that any issue arising within the DAB area should be handled by neutral forces and not the police forces of either states.
The Aghunaqa GBs lamented that while Assam Government ministers and officials often visit the DAB whenever any issue arises, the people of Aghunaqa area do not receive such support from Nagaland Government. “Not even a single MLA from Nagaland has visited the area except the Border Magistrate,” they rued and appealed for the intervention of State Home Minister and the State Government.
Registering their unhappiness with the actions taken by the Assam Government, the Aghunaqa leaders expressed apprehension that if the tense situation was not contained, the neighbourly relationship might be hampered ultimately leading to chaos and destruction. “If a civil war erupts out of the situation then the Assam Government and Police would be held responsible,” the AKK leaders said.
