State govt. urged to take action on encroachment along Dmu-KA border

Elders’ Committee, Rangapahar Crossing; Zhimomi Colony and Santamtilla Village joint action committee have appealed the state government to take prompt action to stop all kinds of intrusion into the “disputed area” along Dimapur and Karbi Anglong.
In a press release, Elders’ Committee, Rangapahar Crossing chairman Sunil Dutta, Zhimomi Colony GB Y. Hotoi Awomi and Santamtilla GB Sekyuchem Sangtam also urged the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur and the state government to take up appropriate measures to protect agreement between Nagaland and Assam governments which was jointly declared in 1971 and reaffirmed in 1979.
The three representatives alleged that over the years the Assam government has been taking undue advantage of the situation and utterly failed to uphold the terms of the agreement.
Pointing out that the vast tract of green forests in the areas has diminished and laid barren, they reminded that any form of permanent structures was not permitted in the area.
However, the area has now seen construction of RCC structures, electrification, water supply, black topping etc., said the three representatives.
They also alleged that several villages had been established by outsiders and illegal immigrants holding Assam government patta under the very nose of Nagaland government, nullifying the need of agreement.
The representatives pointed out that the word “dispute” implied that neither the Assam government nor the Nagaland government enjoyed the sole authority over the area. There was no permanent boundary demarcation till date, they said.
The representatives of the three areas said that as per the term of the agreement, officials from both the states in the rank of DIG should be allowed to supervise and monitor the area. In the best interest of both the parties, a neutral force should be engaged to man the border till the dispute was settled, they said.
If prompt and necessary action to stop encroachment was not taken, the representatives said they would be compelled to take own measures to keep the border secured and intact.