Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 28
The situation along the Assam-Nagaland border in Mokokchung district was reported to be under control following an alleged clash over disputed territory in the periphery of the Tsurang valley area on May 27.
According to the Mokokchung police, an incident occurred on May 25, which resulted in firing of arms on May 27. The Assam Forest and police personnel had allegedly destroyed plantations and bamboo huts on May 25 which led to the incident.
“The area was already tense due to unilateral action by Assam Forest department and Assam Police, who had gone to the site (5 Kms north of Vikuto village toward Assam Nagaland border) on May 25 and destroyed 500 plantations and few bamboo huts which were recently constructed. They (Assam) claim the area to be disputed,” a police official said of the incident.
It was followed by an MLA from Mariani under Jorhat district reportedly leading a group of people to the disputed site on May 27 to destroy the remaining standing structures.
As per the Mokokchung police, the MLA was advised not to visit the location.
Objecting to the MLA’s provocative action, Vikuto villagers assembled and shouted slogans asking them to turn back, the police said.
While news reports in Assam accused the Nagaland side of using firearms, as per the Mokokchung police, the first shots were fired by the Assam police.
Some 5 rounds were said to have been fired by the Assam Police in the air. In return, the villagers reportedly fired two rounds from muzzle-loading guns “to deter further action by the Assam side,” after which the Assam delegation retreated.
The Mokokchung police added that government officials from both sides immediately took measures to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
As result of the preventive steps, an Assam Police team was said to have been stationed at the border village of New Sonowal to stop further movement of people towards Nagaland side.
Meanwhile, the SP Mokokchung and SP Jorhat have taken stock of the situation, the official said, adding that police officials from both sides have visited the disputed site.
It added that the situation was tense but under control with deployment of adequate police personnel.
