Irate United Village block NH-29

Traffic was disrupted for nearly two and half hours (6:30 am to 9 am) as the residents mostly armed with machetes burnt tyres in the middle of the road. Wooden structures were also used to barricade the road. No casualty was reported in the incident. One of the resident told Nagaland Post, that they were discontented on the state government for not taking requisite action on Assam-Nagaland border issue.

State government had barred the people from this village from taking up construction works in the area on numerous occasions. 

However, United Village claimed that since village was established adjacent to Indisen village they should be allowed to carry out construction works. According to an eye witness, the residents proceeding towards Daldali Reserve Forest with “machetes and other agricultural tools to take up construction activities” were intercepted by IRB, police and district administration at DC Court Junction at around 6:30 am. 

Later, the road blocked was lifted and the crowd were dispersed after a meeting was held between district administration and some elders of the village at DC office, SDO (C) Moa Sangtam said. 

He told media persons that the residents were made to understand certain process with regard to the border issue.  

Moa also said that Daldali Reserve Forest was “officially Nagaland state government claimed area” and did not fall under Disturbed Area Belt (DAB). Since the border issue between Assam-Nagaland case was in Supreme Court, the state government was trying its best to find appropriate solution on the border issue and has taken up the matter on a very serious basis, he added. He fervently appealed to various groups to refrain from creating unwanted situation while the case is in process. 

District administration and police have also urged upon various groups, to abstain from such activity as the case was in Supreme Court and judgment would be finalized soon.  Three companies of IR and police personnel from district enforcement force were deployed at the site. Water canon vehicle was also stationed to avoid any eventuality. 

DC assures appointment with HM: United Naga Tribes Association on Border Areas (UNTABA), in a press statement, said that the DC Dimapur to pacify the public had assured them of an appointment with the state home minister at the earliest. 

UNTABA chairman Hukavi T Yeputhomi and general secretary, Imsumongba Pongen said that the public resorted to “confrontation” with the administration after they were stopped from taking up cultivation and construction works in and around Rilan, Indisen and Aoyimkum.

According to the UNTABA, unless Daldali Reserved Forests areas “illegally occupied by the people of questionable origins” from Assam were completely evicted including Dillai Gate of Assam, 6th mile and all other establishments and settlements, all these “skirmishes and confrontations” between the administration and public of Nagaland would continue.

Further, UNTABA reminded the state government that unless realistic approach adopted, it will be unwise to stop “our people from occupying their rightful activities since people from Nagaland side has been only trying to occupy the areas given and recognized by the state government”.