The indefinite economic blockade on Nagaland imposed by Karbi Students and Youth Council (KSYC), All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), All Assam Gurkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) and Karbi Unemployed Youth Association (KUYA) since 25th Feb is condemnable and treacherous, irrational and misguided. It is condemnable because the various Karbi unions including student bodies, youth organisations, etc., are claiming that Nagas are encroaching Karbi land in Assam whereas it is a recorded fact that there are no Karbi lands in Assam except Hamren Sub-division, a point which has been pointed out by Assam CM Tarun Gogoi himself too. On the other hand, it is a recorded fact that the rest of the so-called Karbi Anglong falls under Rengma Hills or Rengma Naga jurisdiction comprising of 8724 sq kms in area, including capital Diphu which is part of East Rengma Mouza. Therefore, calling the Nagas encroachers is a case of the pot calling the kettle black since the Karbis from Jaintia Hills are the original encroachers of Rengma lands. The present border controversy falls under East Rengma Mouza, Rengma Hills and if at all encroachment is taking place, it is upon Rengma land not Karbi’s and therefore, such shameless and baseless allegation is condemned by Rengma Naga People’s Council (RNPC) and consigned to dustbin.
The bandh is a treacherous act because it comes right after the Karbi Anglong Peace Forum (KAPF) made its ‘peace trip’ to Nagaland soon after the killings in pachaspura, Dimapur, where the KAPF stressed on the need for Karbis and Nagas to maintain ‘brotherly hood’ and ‘peace’- in the presence of Naga civil society, student organisations and tribal hohos. The hollowness of Karbi peace is exposed to all the Nagas today as the state of Nagaland reels under Karbi sponsored bandh. The one remarkable feature of every tribal society, including Nagas is the premium placed on verbal promises for which the individual is prepared to give up even his life to honour such given promises. The Rengma Nagas of Assam knows too well the premium Karbis place on promises. The bandh is irrational and misguided because the All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) and All Assam Gurkha Students’ Union (AAGSU) should not be beguiled by Karbi agenda and propaganda which will only harm the interest of these communities in the long run. The Rengma community appeals to its minority brethrens in Rengma Hills to desist from supporting Karbi-agenda driven indefinite economic blockade of Nagaland.
The Dimapur district administration is requested to view the border controversy not from the narrow lens of law and order. This episode should be viewed from a wider spectrum since it involves history, life and the future of Rengma Nagas of Assam. The Dimapur district administration should not take decisions that may be used as spanners against the Rengma quest for political identity in Assam. The Rengma Naga People’s Council (RNPC) has no personal issues with SDO (C) Dimapur, but it defies logic that the Dimapur district administration could find only some junior officer to lead the delegation when the Assam side was represented by Additional DGP, Assam. Not only are the SDO (C) and SDPO junior in rank, but they are also not well versed with the history of the border area which is inextricably linked with the Rengma aspirations of Assam. However, the ineptitude of the Nagaland government should work well for Rengma interest and the Assam Government is urged to take this opportunity and make right the historical wrongs committed by it upon the true and rightful owners of the land, the Rengma Nagas of Assam. Notwithstanding Karbi claim on East Rengma Mouza founded under revenue proceedings in February 1861 under Section Nos.116& 118, the Assam Government is requested to take decisions act as per historical records, including British era records and accord justice to the Rengma Nagas of Assam. The Karbis of Assam and the Nagas of Nagaland neither have legitimacy over the lands under East Rengma Mouza or West Rengma Mouza but the Rengmas are the only true legitimate heirs of the land and therefore, the Assam and Indian government should solve the border controversy impartially keeping in mind the historical land ownership of the Rengmas.
