In this image released to the media the members of the Border peace Coordination Committee (Assam and Nagaland) are seen discussing in a meeting on May 2.
Dimapur, May 2 (MExN): Following the Assam-Nagaland border tension that erupted on April 17 after the assault of three persons from the Tea Tribe community, where one person was shot by suspected Naga armed miscreants, the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) (BPCC AN) members visited the incident areas.
This incident in the border belt had led to the imposition of a road blockade in Dhodarali of Nakachari-Amguri stretch in Jorhat district by All Assam Tea Tribes Student Association (AATTSA) on April 18 and 25, demanding to book the culprit/s responsible for the act and to pay suitable compensation to the injured victims.
The BPCC (A-N), having been apprised through the media about the incident which took place around Gabharoohuti (Rivulet) of the border area of Assam and Nagaland, went with a team to Jorhat Medical College & Hospital on April 29 to express sympathy to Dinesh Pantati who received a bullet injury and was under treatment there. The team, thereafter, also called on the Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat and held discussions on the law and order situations following that incident.
“In order to instill a sense of brotherhood and to defuse the prevailing situation there,” the BPCC (A-N) arranged a get-together of the people today in the campus of Gosaibari Primary School, stated the Coordinator of the BPCC (A-N), Temsu Wathi Ao.
One of the victims, Sankar Pantati, was also present at the meeting that deliberated on peaceful and coordinated living of people in the border area. The third victim, Ratul Garh, is currently in the local hospital and could not be present in the meeting, but his father Pahari Garh attended the meeting, stated Ao.
As per Sankar Pantati’s statement, a group of 5 unidentified personnel with hunting guns picked up three out of nine workers from the tea plantation area owned by one Ramesh Gogoi.
In these circumstances, the BPCC (A-N) has appealed to all concerned to review the movement launched to settle the situation amicably. Further, it has suggested more get-togethers of people living in border areas to evolve ways and means for peaceful and coordinated living for which State Governments may lay out congenial policies. The BPCC (A-N) also stated that “wrong doers involved be identified and punished and the affected be compensated but launching of movement of the kind be withdrawn and settled through negotiations.”
During the April 25 blockade, with the active intervention of the District Administrations of both Jorhat and Mokokchung, the aggrieved party had lifted the bandh at 5 pm that day. It is learnt that the AATTSA has asked the authorities concerned to fulfill their demand by May 5, failing which they will go on agitation again.
Travellers have been advised not to use Mariani-Nakachari-Amguri-Dhodarali route May 6 onwards till such time the impasse has been settled.
